The eastern Indian city of Kolkata has been devastated by a powerful cyclone which has killed at least 84 people across India and Bangladesh. Amphan made landfall last week, lashing coastal areas with ferocious wind and rain. Thousands of trees were uprooted in the gales, electricity and telephone lines brought down and houses flattened. Many of Kolkata’s roads are flooded and its 14 million people without power.

 

Help a Child of India target communities are badly affected by Amphan cyclone though no casualties took place. Around 50 houses’ roofs have been damaged. In one of the target slums called Jhaldermath the community hall has been destroyed completely, where we used to conduct our project activities. It’s difficult to move as lots of trees and electric poles have fallen on the ground. As telecommunications services have been damaged it’s difficult to connect people over phone also.

First-hand information from the target communities found that house roofs needs to be repaired and replaced for about 50 families and Children have lost their school bags, and stationeries. The community has requested Help a Child of India for support to repair and replace house roofing. Most of these houses made with low cost iron sheets or county cement titles. Jhaldermath community leaders are also seeking our help to repair the community hall where children’s activity will continue. Currently some families are staying at nearby relief shelters and other families are made small tents nearby and staying at open places.

The government is supporting the affected families in terms of ensuring food security like dry ration distribution and temporary accommodation in community halls for making sure that safety and protection of women and children. Help a Child of India is preparing a rehabilitation plan to help the families in need.