Water, sanitation continue to be major needs of the flood affected people in Kurnool and Bagalkot

NEW DELHI, OCT 28. Strengthening its water, sanitation and public health support in flood- affected villages in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and in the Bagalkot district of   Karnataka, Oxfam India has launched its second phase of response on Wednesday by distributing hygiene kits to the survivors of the South India floods. These kits would be distributed to 9,000 households in Kurnool and about 4,000 households in Bagalkot.  

"Water and sanitation continues to be one of the major needs of the flood affected people as they are forced to live in bad sanitary conditions. Though Government and other agencies working in the area have been distributing food and other non-food items but there hasn't been much stress on improving hygiene of those places where people are living. Improving hygiene is important to prevent water borne diseases at the individual household level", says Nisha Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oxfam India. 

Oxfam India from the beginning of its response in flood affected areas has focused on ensuing safe drinking water to people by distributing chlorine tablets. The second phase of distribution will be followed by a larger public health promotion exercise with activities like village cleaning campaigns and awareness generation at the community and the village level.

The Hygiene kit would include 2 20 liters buckets with lid, 2 1.5 liters mugs, 2 bathing soaps Lifebuoy 120 gms, 2 wash / detergent Wheel 150 gms, 4 ORS packets 21 gms, sanitary napkins 2 units and a fleece blanket.

Though Government has major relief and rehabilitation plans for the flood affected people but there are some gaps around providing the affected communities with immediate shelter. It would take some time for the Government and for the beneficiaries to rebuild their houses. ''The immediate need is a temporary shelter, at least for families whose houses are fully damaged until the permanent shelter is made", says Zubin Zaman, Humanitarian Response Manager, Oxfam India.

The other major issue of concern is access to safe drinking water in the affected villages. Most of the drinking water sources in the villages have been contaminated in the floods. In lack of any other option, people are forced to use the available water for drinking purposes. ''The Government should ensure the supply of drinking water through tankers until the regular drinking water sources in the villages are repaired," argues Zubin, adding :   ''Although the Government is making massive efforts to restore the water supply infrastructure the need for safe drinking water still outweighs the supply".       

"The devastating floods have left women and children most vulnerable. Whereas women have issues related to their privacy and health, children are also vulnerable to public health risks", he points out.

Immediately after the South India floods broke out, Oxfam India carried a rapid assessment exercise in Kurnool and Bagalkot districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka respectively. Based on this assessment, Oxfam India decided to work with 9,000 households in Kurnool and 4,000 in Bagalkot giving them water, sanitation and public health support.

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