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[email protected] India – Floods Coordinating Office Assistance to Families Affected by Floods in India - ASIN62, Revision 1 Appeal Target: US$ 1,926,479 Balance Requested from the ACT Alliance: US$ 1,615,166 Geneva, 24 August 2006 Dear Colleagues, Torrential rains since the end of July have caused widespread flooding in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Many lives have been lost. The floods have also caused widespread damage to property, standing crops, flood control embankments and other basic infrastructure. People have lost their belongings in the swirling floodwaters and are facing a scarcity of food, drinking water, shelter and clothing. Those who have managed to escape to safety are currently deprived of the basic necessities of life. The loss to crops and livestock is massive. In addition, there is extensive damage to the general infrastructure, including that of the road and rail systems. A Reuters' article posted on Reliefweb on 9 August reported that 4,5 million people have been driven from their homes. All three ACT members in India are addressing the needs caused by the floods. United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) sent eight assessment teams to Orissa and parts of Andhra Pradesh and has now finalised the proposal. Lutheran World Service India (LWSI) assessed the needs in parts of Andhra Pradesh. Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) has mobilised relief teams in Maharashtra and Gujarat and has assessment teams in Andhra Pradesh.