2020 – Target Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020 A detailed report on celebration of IDDR, 2020 and local DRR strategies adopted for management of COVID-19 hazard vis a vis Flood in Assam Report prepared By - Assam State Disaster Management Authority, Govt. of Assam
“Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance to manage disaster risk”
A BRIEF BACKGROUND 2019–Target (d): Substantially reduce disaster
The United Nations General Assembly has damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of designated 13 October as International Day for basic services, among them health and educational
Disaster Risk Reduction to promote a global culture facilities, including through developing their resilience of disaster risk reduction. It is an opportunity to by 2030; acknowledge the progress being made toward 2020 –Target (e): Substantially increase the number reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods of countries with national and local disaster risk and health in line with the Sendai Framework for reduction strategies by 2020;
Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 adopted at the 2021–Target (f): Substantially enhance international
Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk cooperation to developing countries through
Reduction in Japan in March 2015. adequate and sustainable support to complement
In 2016, the UN Secretary-General launched “The their national actions for implementation of the
Sendai Seven Campaign” to promote each of the present Framework by 2030; seven targets of Sendai Framework over seven 2022–Target (g): Substantially increase the years. availability of and access to multi-hazard early
Sendai Seven Targets are as below: warning systems and disaster risk information and
2016 – Target (a): Substantially reduce global assessments to people by 2030. disaster mortality by 2030, aiming to lower the This year the target was “Substantially increase the average per 100,000 global mortality rate in the number of countries with national and local disaster decade 2020-2030 compared to the period 2005- risk reduction strategies by 2020” which lays the
2015; foundation for the implementation of the Sendai
2017 – Target (b): Substantially reduce the number Framework and is closely linked with Priority for of people affected globally by 2030, aiming to lower Action 2: the average global figure per 100,000 in the decade “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance to manage 2020-2030 compared to the period 2005-2015; disaster risk” 2018 – Target (c): Reduce direct disaster economic Goal: Identify advocacy opportunities to highlight how loss in relation to global gross domestic product good disaster risk governance, planning and (GDP) by 2030; implementation leads to reduced numbers of people
3 | P a g e affected by disasters (especially in terms of death, achieve the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris injury, displacement and loss of livelihood). Agreement. Good planning, national and local DRR
Objectives: strategies saves lives and reduces the risk of
Promote and encourage events at State, displacement in floods, storms and drought. 25 million
District and community level to mark people are displaced every year by climate and
implementation of the Sendai Framework weather. Planning for drought, heatwaves and
with a focus on governance and Target E, wildfires in local DRR strategies can reduce the risk
Highlight challenges faced with the COVID- of all three and speed up adaptation to climate
19 pandemic; change. It is important to include the potentially
Develop capacity to implement integrated vulnerable in developing and implementing a local
whole-of-society action on disaster risk strategy to reduce disaster risk. #COVID19 has
reduction including for biological risks and reinforced the need for people with life-threatening
hazards; and chronic disease, living with disability or in poverty,
Integrate risks associated with biological to be included in the design of policies and plans to
hazards, including pandemics, in local manage their risks. Risk-informed land use planning
strategies for disaster risk reduction and building codes are key elements of any national
(especially in District DM Plan, Departmental strategy to reduce disaster risk. Careful planning
DM Plan, Village DM Plan, School DM Plan around the location of critical infrastructure saves
etc.) lives and avoids economic losses. Schools, hospitals,
Integrate in Local DRR strategies the risk of bridges, roads, public utilities should be planned in
climate emergency and full blown pandemic such a way to make sure they are still there when we
at the same time need them most. Unplanned urbanization creates greater risk of floods. Too many people die in Disaster Risk Reduction requires all of society earthquakes, floods and storms because of poor engagement to develop and successfully implement planning and failure to implement adequate building local strategies for disaster risk reduction. Unless codes. Climate and extreme weather displace an global greenhouse gas emissions fall by 7.6 per cent average of 25 million people every year in their own each year between 2020 and 2030, the world will not countries. Reducing risk of displacement needs to be
4 | P a g e a goal of local DRR strategies. About 95% of Some questions for local authorities to consider
#COVID19 cases have come from urban areas. for promoting the day-
Pandemic preparedness in cities and towns must be Do your local strategies for disaster risk reduction take adequate account of included in urban and local strategies for disaster risk biological, technological and environmental reduction. Disaster risk reduction is the desired hazards and risks? outcome of all measures which can be taken to Have you been able to establish and strengthen government coordination forums reduce loss of life, injury and displacement, damage composed of relevant stakeholders at the to critical infrastructure and loss of access to basic state and local levels, such as State and services, because of both man-made and natural local platforms for disaster risk reduction? Have you designated focal point for hazards. #COVID19 shows that consumption implementing the Sendai Framework for patterns, travel & trade, urban density, lack of access Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030? to clean water combined with poor risk management Are you addressing disaster risk in publicly owned, managed or regulated services and creates conditions for an outbreak to become an infrastructures? epidemic, a pandemic– and a global economic & Do you include financial incentives, public social disaster. If we do not improve disaster risk awareness-raising and training initiatives? Does your local strategy for disaster risk governance, the #COVID-19 pandemic will be viewed reduction have a clear vision supported by by future generations as a lesson that was ignored in plans, the necessary competence, the course of destroying the planet. The greatest legislation, resources, guidance and co- ordination within and across sectors? single driver of disaster risk is weak governance and Have you put in place organizational lack of political commitment to invest in disaster structures to implement the Sendai prevention. Good governance means good national Framework or risk-informed sustainable development? and local DRR strategies. If the benefits of investing in disaster risk reduction were fully realised, we would not be facing a global economic crisis. The world would have been better prepared to mitigate the impact of the #COVID19 pandemic. Good disaster risk governance can be measured by lives saved, fewer people affected and reduced economic losses.
5 | P a g e
CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY (State Disaster Risk Management Fund) to sensitize
FOR DISASTER REDUCTION, (IDDR, 2020) people and minimize deaths. He laid more focus on ON 13TH OCTOBER, 2020 the cause of drowning of people which is a major Assam State Disaster Management Authority concern during flood every year. He talked about (ASDMA) celebrated the International Day for strengthening village level teams for better Disaster Reduction (IDDR) on 13th October, 2020. To preparedness and implementation of community mark the occasion of International Day for Disaster based disaster risk reduction activities. Reduction, a Video Conference was held under the
Chairmanship of Shri. M.S. Manivannan, IAS, Chief
Executive Officer (CEO, ASDMA) with all the Deputy
Commissioners of Assam. The Video Conference was attended by the staff of District Disaster
Management Authorities (DDMA) s. The Video After the speech from Chairperson, a short Conference was chaired by Shri. M.S. Manivannan, presentation was made by Shri. Mukta Ram Deka, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary (Revenue & DM & Project Manager (DRR) on the “Cumulative Flood Chief Executive Officer (ASDMA) and convened by Deaths of last 5 years” and an analysis of flood deaths Shri. Dhiraj Saud, ACS (Deputy Secretary & State that occurred in last 5 years. Project Co-ordinator, ASDMA). Shri. Manivannan highlighted on the sufferings every year due to floods The Deputy Commissioners of Barpeta, Goalpara, in Assam. He also mentioned about loss of precious Morigaon, Kokrajhar presented the cause of death in lives every year and that the trend of loss of lives is their District along with initiatives taken to minimize increasing day by day. He spoke about the concern the deaths. The reasons for increasing death were of losing 122 lives in 2020 flood and the trend in last discussed in details along with some best practices of
5 years. He discussed in detail about the impact the districts. created by flood on livelihood of people, impact on Shri. Munindra Sarma (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, education, health etc. He called for preparation of the Barpeta presented on the “District level practices and Gaon Panchayat Disaster Management Plans factors that either increased the death or helped in (GPDMP) and its implementation under SDRMF
6 | P a g e preventing more deaths”. He highlighted on the where people slip and fall into the flood water. hazards like Flood, Storm, Lightning, Fire incident, Activities like fishing and timber collection have led to
Earthquake, Erosion etc. that affect the district every many deaths during the year 2020. He also reiterated year. He mentioned about a fire incident that took that many people who come to watch the flood place in a cracker factory at Bilortarihati of Barpeta waters/ embankment breaches and due to town and led to death of 4 people and 8 sustained unpredictability of the river they are caught off guard severe injuries. During the year 2020, Barpeta and fall into the high water current of the river. People recorded the highest number of flood deaths. Out of of Barpeta mostly lack awareness. After a detailed
21 lives lost, 14 are children deaths. He mentioned discussion on the various issues, he requested to that most of the people are reluctant to leave their strengthen the Early Warning (EW) systems between flood submerged houses and come to relief camps Govt. of Bhutan, Kurichu dam authorities and the which makes them vulnerable of being washed away State Government to facilitate better dissemination of by floods and most of the people prefer to live in their EW messages to the communities and establish a boats. The flood affected areas are mostly low lying failsafe risk communication to the worst affected with depths of 4-5 m and the river has a depth of 10- communities of Baghbar, Kalgachia and Chenga
20 meters. People move in boats and or bamboo living in downstream areas of Kurichu dam. barges during nights which have led to accidents
7 | P a g e
Smti. Varnali Deka, IAS, Deputy Commissioner,
Goalpara informed about the causes of human lives lost in Goalpara due to flood. She told that most people misjudge the water level and river current while they get washed away. She also informed that most of the people who died in flood waters knew District Administration of Goalpara also collaborated swimming but could not gauge the high river current. with UNICEF to produce modular videos for education People also die while trying to rescue other people. continuity. They launched the “Mission Tara” under Children and youths die while they go for baths, sit on which psychosocial support and counselling was the banks of the river because they are less aware provided to the children. The district implemented about the eddy currents below the land surface on the “Child Friendly spaces” during flood 2020. river banks. There are cases where infants have accidentally fallen off into flood waters from the arms Smti. Leena Das, Deputy Commissioner, Morigaon of their mother and died. While water from the Garo District suggested that swimming should be hills enter the district, most people, who try to move integrated at school level curriculum. People mostly at night by boats, fall off from the overcrowded boats. fall from boats, fall from the banana raft, get washed
She made special mention about the broadcast away while crossing the river and roads. To minimize mechanism through public alert system in mosques. deaths awareness programmes are conducted.
Goalpara has listed all vulnerable people in the Shri. Partha Pratim Mazumdar, Deputy districts and has segregated data of elderly people, Commissioner, Kokrajhar informed that due to lack of disabled persons, women and children. The initiative institutional mechanism in Kokrajhar, disaster for elderly persons is called “Surakshit Dada Dadi and response becomes difficult. He requested ASDMA to
Nana Nani” in which volunteers take care of the support the district in setting up of an institutional elderly people in the district and frequently call them mechanism to strengthen awareness and capacity for wellness checking. She also mentioned about the building initiatives of village level task forces in the relocation of 8-9 house hold (approx.70-80 people) district. He also mentioned that people get washed near the Moinamoti bund in the Krishnai river away due to flash floods while washing clothes, taking catchment area where the water force becomes high. bath, fishing in rivers or trying to cross rivers. He said
8 | P a g e that the communities are not able to gauge the community centres. He informed that the people of velocity of water. He suggested the need for river Dhemaji are accustomed to the flood situation and catchment studies to understand the preparation for therefore prepared with wooden boats, bamboo rafts, flash flood and also establish a communication link skill of plying in high currents and the Mishing with Bhutan in order to receive early warning for flash communities have the traditional knowledge of floods. building house on stilts. He informed that
dissemination of early warning to last mile is a DDMA, Cachar and Dhemaji also presented on the challenge and needs to be strengthened. He case studies from the respective districts. Shamim mentioned about some resources placed at the Ahmed Laskar, District Project Officer, Cachar village level with the support of Oxfam & Rural presented on the deaths in the district. He informed Volunteer centre. He requested ASDMA for that more deaths occurred this year in Cachar due to prepositioning of contingency stock at the Panchayat drowning other than flood drowning. He informed the level, construction of high raised platforms and challenges of disseminating information to the village construction of flood resilient AWC, school building, communities. DDMA, Cachar launched a project PHC, Toilets & Child Friendly spaces and some multi- “Aastha” to provide psychosocial support in level flood shelters. quarantine centres. The District administration is also initiating constant dialogue with Turial dam authorities Dr. M.S. Lakshmi Priya, Deputy Commissioner, in Mizoram to avert any kind of flash flooding in Sonai Bongaigaon mentioned about a special initiative of
Revenue circle. DDMA, Bongaigaon. The DDMA has marked the
month of May as “The month of Disaster Awareness Lohit Gogoi, District Project Officer, DDMA, Dhemaji creation & mitigation”. In that month the district presented the causes of death in Dhemaji. He Disaster Management Teams will train up Anganwadi informed that Dhemaji mostly faces flash floods due Supervisors as “Master Trainers” who will train up to which drowning of people occurs. Dhemaji aslo AWWs. The AWWs will take sessions for mothers, faces the wrath of erosion, lightning and pregnant women and children for one week for thunderstorms. He mentioned about the need for a disaster mitigation. strengthened early warning system for flash floods and elevated infrastructures like schools, hospitals,
9 | P a g e
Lastly CEO, ASDMA shared his observations on the iii. Best practices in the District level regarding presentations and requested all DDMAs to analyse management of COVID 19 & Flood vis a vis the deaths in their respective districts and the COVID-19 common patterns of death occurrence can be iv. Lessons learnt during management of – analysed to take steps for minimizing such deaths in i) COVID-19 ii) COVID-19 vis. a vis. flood future. Accordingly, the District Disaster Management
Authorities (DDMAs) submitted the details of issues Shri. Dhiraj Saud, Deputy Secretary & State Project and challenges faced, co-ordination challenges, best Co-ordinator, ASDMA offered his vote of thanks to all practices at the District level and Lessons learnt in the the participating districts and requested co-operation management of COVID-19 and Climate hazards. of all districts to collect information and analyse the deaths and find out the actual cause of death so that The issues and challenges faced by the District it could be minimized in the subsequent years. Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) in the
management of COVID-19 pandemic are as below: EXPERIENCE SHARED BY DISTRICT
DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES HIGHLIGHT CHALLENGES/ ISSUES FACED (DDMA) ON DEALING WITH PANDEMIC & WITH COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CLIMATE HAZARDS 1. Baksa On the occasion of International Day for Disaster Detection of persons entering the district by Reduction (IDDR, 2020), ASDMA requested DDMAs other means and getting them tested. for pre-submission of write up on the following: Lack of awareness among public at large.
i. Issues & challenges faced in management of Non-co-operative behavior of some people
the pandemic-COVID-19 & Flood vis a vis as far as wearing masks and maintaining
COVID-19 social distancing.
ii. Co-ordination mechanisms / issues at District The Nationwide Lock Down has resulted in
level while managing COVID-19 & Flood vis a financial losses and has affected all segment
vis COVID-19 of society. Infrastructure and logistic
problem.
2. Barpeta:
10 | P a g e
Initially District administration faced Zonal Screening Centre was set up on Mini
challenges in setting up of Quarantine stadium of Sorbhog for screening of people
Centre, Covid Care Centres as it requires coming outside from Assam on 4th June,
more space by maintaining social distance, 2020. Thousands of passengers came at
bathroom & toilet facilities, drinking water Zonal Screening Centre (ZSC), Sorbhog.
facilities and other essential items etc. as per The main problem was transportation as
Covid Protocol. that, the crowd was massive and to collect
Distribution of relief materials during swab sample in such a short interval of time
lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic was a big challenge. Most of the passengers
was a big challenge for the authorities. were basically uneducated as they belonged
Identification of actual wage earners in the to labour class, so to maintain hygiene was
district is another challenge faced by the one of the issues.
authority as there is no proper way of Burial of COVID dead bodies, sanitization of
registration whether they belong to wage quarantine centre, and disposal of waste
earner or not. from quarantine centres was very
Supply of good quality and sufficient food to challenging issue with COVID-19 pandemic.
Covid Care centres for the Covid positive 3. Biswanath patients. Persons coming from other states Identification and transportation of migrant to Assam in quarantine centres is also one workers to their home was a huge challenge. of the challenges faced during Covid-19 Inadequate health institution and manpower pandemic. in each of the departments was one of the Another widely reported concern is challenges along with the administration. regarding the movement of workers/ 4. Bongaigaon personnel. The incident commanders have
been empowered to issue passes for Containment of COVID-19 infection in
enabling essential movements in their Bongaigaon District.
respective jurisdiction. To ensure that no death occurs due to
COVID-19 in the district.
11 | P a g e
Accommodation and food arrangements of COVID-19 pandemic was a totally different
Inter-State passengers was a huge type of medical emergency about which
challenge as the exact number of persons there was no basic idea in the District.
arriving was not known and also they used Available infrastructure was not very
to reach at late nights which required extra promising and conversion of them to make
efforts on transportation, security, food etc. additional robust and functional COVID Care
Addressing the grievances on need basis. Centres (CCC) & Quarantine Centres (QC)
Employees were reluctant to come to work s.
due to lockdown in the initial days. Setting up of quarantine centres & COVID
Assigning roles and responsibilities to care centres. There were around 87 such
different departments for management of centres functional altogether at the same
COVID-19. time in Cachar District.
Creation of Awareness regarding COVID-19 Community related risks for mental health.
and safeguarding against spread of rumours Quarantine associated challenges, as there
and false information. were many people who created problems at
Counselling the general public regarding quarantine centres. There were also
COVID-19 pandemic and convincing them to persons who tried to run away or hide
get themselves tested for COVID-19. themselves on the thought of being
Selecting vendors to carry out a smooth door quarantined.
to door delivery of essential commodities Management of inflow & outflow of migrants
during lockdown in GP Level, Village Level and related matters.
and Ward Level. Contact tracing of persons who came in
Keeping a close watch on migrants who contact with positive persons.
were on Home isolation, in co-ordination 6. Charaideo with ASHA Workers and GP Level workers Lack of sweepers cum cleaners for was quite challenging. quarantine centres and isolation facilities. 5. Cachar
12 | P a g e
During COVID-19 a huge number of RT- Fearing the spread of COVID-19, villagers
PCR Tests has been done to the people barricaded the entry points of their villages
staying at different quarantine centres. which hindered the smooth movement of on
Delay of information regarding health duty government officials.
condition given by the patients staying at 8. Darrang Home Isolation. Arrangement for transportation of a huge Shortage of 108 Ambulance Service/ Quick number of persons from Railway Station to Response Team. different quarantine centres observing Shortage of beds at Hospitals. COVID-19 protocols as per the SOP/ Lack of ventilation facilities in Government Guidelines issued by competent Authority. Hospitals. So the District Administration was Arrangements for accommodation/food and forced to send the serious patients to AMCH, providing of welcome kits to migrant Dibrugarh. population coming to the district from outside
7. Chirang States/ Countries by different means of
Difficulties experienced in COVID testing/ communication observing the COVID-19
follow up in respect of migrant workers protocols.
returning from other States. At the very beginning only the emergency
Reluctance on the part of common people to services i.e. Health, Police, DM Officials,
use Mask, Sanitizers etc. VDP, ASHA, Anganwadi workers and NGOs
Not following the Social distancing norms. had to deliver services with a minimum
Reluctance of different authorities to allow manpower in such a critical situation of
their institutions to be used as Quarantine COVID-19 pandemic.
Centres. 9. Dhemaji Difficulties experienced in receiving Dhemaji being a remote and a small district incoming passengers coming by trains, bus initially faced with lack of infrastructure for from the Zonal point and taking them to the quarantine facilities. But with the passage of district quarantine centres.
13 | P a g e
time, 16 no. of Quarantine Centres with 1298 Development of infrastructure with sufficient
beds had been arranged. number of sanitary facility within a very short
Logistics posed a challenge in the notice.
pandemic. The 1298 bedded Quarantine Convincing the inmates for maintaining
Centres needed 1200 beds and other social distance among themselves
necessary items which was a challenge to Regular and proper sanitization of camps,
arrange at a night’s call during the lockdown Swab collection centre, Hospitals, Check
phase. Moreover a few logistics like mask, gate, Quarantine centres and other large
sanitizer, gloves, zipper bags, caps, Para number of facilities
film roll for the samples had to be purchased Identifying the home isolation people and
from Dibrugarh due to unavailability in the delivery of food items / ration etc. to the
home district. home isolation people
10. Dhubri Motivating the staff / officials during the initial stage for performing various COVID related There were many challenges faced like duties infrastructure for quarantine centre, Isolation Identifying and tracking down the COVID Centre, Shortage of medical staff, positive along with the contact persons of Manpower, timely logistics support, social COVID positive cases. Also convincing them awareness, communication, movement for swab test and home isolation. control of people etc. During the initial stage, convincing the local Major Challenges: people for peacefully completing the
Space management for the inmates came cremation of COVID positive death cases. from outside States. 11. Dibrugarh Manpower for the management of inmates. Lack of up-to-date database of unorganized Logistic, food and drinking water facility for sector of people like daily wage earner/ the unexpected railway passengers/ a rickshaw puller / barber etc. including massive influx of inmates came from the migrant labour outside states.
14 | P a g e
A complete separate chapter on At the beginning stage of COVID-19, the
management of disease / pandemic should major challenges/issues were faced by the
be included in State Disaster Management District Administration, Goalpara as follows:
Plan (SDMP) Shortage of trained man power
At the early stage of the pandemic people Lack of awareness among the common
have to be forced to follow COVID Protocols masses about COVID-19
like social distancing, wearing of face mask, Shortage of infrastructure to be designated
stay-at-home etc. as facility quarantine centre
Shortage of Ambulance, ICU equipped 12. Dima Hasao: hospitals Shortage of cleaners in the quarantine Rumors caused disturbance in normal life facilities and isolation facilities. during the early stage due to viral videos/ Cremation ground for COVID-19 victims. posts in social media Shortage of Morgue van. Hindrance aroused in streamlining the food / Less help from the general public. essential commodities during the early stage Too many reports to be sent on a single day of lockdown. Shortage of DDMA staff for running the
office 24/7 14. Golaghat
Many Committees/Groups created problem Management of the entire crisis period with
in co-ordination limited manpower
Lack of co-ordination from Town No past history, experiences and manual
Committees available to deal with the new crisis
Too many interventions from N.C Hills situations
Executive Member The impact of this disaster is not directly
visible therefore challenge to take immediate 13. Goalpara response and relief measures
This disaster has more impact on the post
period especially for rehabilitation processes
15 | P a g e
in occupation, agriculture sector, market, Identify and sending back the migrant
education system, and mental or trauma labours to their native destinations district /
state of human beings State.
There were challenges in transportation of 16. Jorhat large number of passengers within limited In the initial stage, arrangement of time and limited resources quarantine / isolation facilities with all basic Due to limited human resources the facilities maintaining COVID-19 protocol for unlimited services offered was beyond the people coming from other states via imagination, which was posing health threat train, flight and road was a big challenge for the Doctors, Nurses, ward boys, Arrangement of all basic logistic facilities in paramedics, Police, Administrators etc. the quarantine / isolation centres The Government was bound to enforce law Arrangement of 24x7 screening centre at and order for the wellbeing of the human Mariani Railway Station for the passengers population. coming from other states via train The awareness programmes executed by Arrangement of transportation facilities for the DDMA, Departments, NGOs etc. was the passengers coming from other states via challenging due to various protocols and train got down at Maraini railway station to guidelines. Some section of the community the designated quarantine / isolation was reluctant to follow the protocols which centres. brought bitter experiences. Arrangement of 24x7 Zonal Screening There were challenges to cater the Centre for the people of entire upper Assam requirement of food items like daily ration, travelled by road and their accommodation vegetables etc. among the general public in the quarantine centres.
15. Hojai Surveillance / monitoring of health status of
Maintenance of social distancing in public thousands of home quarantined people
places coming from other states
16 | P a g e
Strict enforcement of lock down in the entire been provided with Gratuitous Relief (G.R)
district involving police deptt. and engaging from DDMA through concerned circle
the officials of different departments as officers
sector officer 17. Kamrup Continuous mobilization of manpower & Lack of man power to create awareness resources of concerned departments to among the villagers during the lockdown contain the spread of COVID-19 phase Arrangement of continuous supply /make Lack of funds at Circle level to carry out available of food items/ vegetables/ activities related to COVID-19 on emergency medicine and other essential items to the situation people. 18. Kamrup (M) Arrangement of food items / medicines etc.
to the people in quarantine Identification and provision of food/shelter to
Arrangement of food items/medicines etc. to the migrant labourers.
the people who were admitted in the Due to lockdown the migrant labourers
isolation centres coming from outside the district were stuck
Arrangement of food items and other in different places and running out of food.
essential things to the migrant people of We had to gather them in some pre-
other states designated shelter places providing food
Arrangement of accommodation facilities / and shelter.
transportation facilities to the migrant people Transporting them to their native places by
of other states arranging buses
Arrangement of food and other essential Distribution of GR to the stranded migrants
items as Gratuitous Relief (G.R) to all wage as well as poor and needy people by
earners, rickshaw pullers etc. whose maintaining all COVID-19 Protocols
livelihood have been severely affected by Incoming people from other States through
the lockdown and other needy persons has special train, by air and by road
17 | P a g e
At an average 3000 incoming passengers also a major issue which was managed by
per day were received by the district and district administration.
needed to be quarantine initially for 14 days, When positive cases were increasing at that
for which huge arrangements had to be done time the make shift quarantine centres were
in terms of food, shelter and testing. Hotels, converted to COVID hospitals. Apart from
Universities, College, Hostels, Schools, that all the major Govt. hospitals were
Apartment buildings were requisitioned for converted to COVID hospitals which also
shelter. Logistical arrangements like folding need additional arrangement of man power
beds, mattresses, essential goods were also and logistic support.
to be provided to the quarantined people Issue of various emergency passes to the
Food needed to be arranged for the people for travelling to their native places.
quarantined people for which huge Case to case basis had to be responded and
arrangement and man power were needed given permission
COVID testing for the incoming people was Arrangement of labourers to work in the
also a huge challenge. Make Shift testing, quarantine centres was a serious challenge
screening and quarantined centres were in the initial stage
constructed in Sarusajai Stadium, Nehru 19. Karbi Anglong: Stadium, Khanapara Veterinary field. For Lack of availability of equipments and management of these quarantine centres shortage of doctors, paramedical staff, huge man power in terms of doctors, Nurses paramedics, officials, cleaner, labour etc. Refusal of the public to come forward for were required for which additional man COVID test due to Social stigma and power needed to be arranged was a ultimately aggressive behavior from the herculean task for District Administration. public towards medical teams Moreover, arrangement of huge quantity of Shortage of Administrative Officers personal protective equipments for the especially ACS officers engaged man power in COVID-19 duty was
18 | P a g e
20. Karimganj: people and pregnant women, hotels were
Shortage of trained man power requisitioned by the district administration so
Shortage of adequate number of health that separate rooms may be provided to
facilities/ hospitals them. Additionally, migrants who could afford staying in hotels were given the option Shortage of ICU, Ambulance etc. of paid quarantine facility. Measures like Shortage of logistics these ensured that the incoming travellers Transportation of Migrant workers & their do not sneak out of the quarantine until they fooding and lodging was a great challenge tested negative 21. Kokrajhar: Distribution of relief materials during Social distancing at markets and banks is lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic one of the main challenge is a big challenge for the authorities Screening of passengers at Srirampur check Supply of good quality with sufficient foods gate as it is the main entry point to North to COVID Care centres for the COVID eastern States of India positive patients and persons coming from
Transportation of passengers to other outside states to Assam in quarantine
district and States centres is also one of the challenges faced
Shortage of Ambulance service during COVID-19 pandemic
Shortage of Sweepers/Cleaners in the Another widely reported concern is
district willing to work in the quarantine regarding the movement of workers/
centres personnel. The incident commanders have
22. Lakhimpur: been empowered to issue passes for enabling essential movements in their Initially District administration faced respective jurisdiction challenges in setting up of COVID Care One of the immediate crisis that the district Centres. Hundreds of beds and toilets were administration had to tackle was the installed within days to cater to the influx. For shortage of Personal Protective Equipment the migrants with higher vulnerability, like old (PPE). There was acute shortage of
19 | P a g e
protection gear like masks and sanitizers. Daily monitoring of the health status of the
Initially, the district administration tried migrants during the initial period was
exploring outsourcing options for filling in the another challenge faced by the district
deficit Majuli having predominantly rural setup, the
Implementation of Infectious Disease arrangement of accommodation of huge
Surveillance Programme (IDSP) team was a influx of in-migrants for quarantine was
big challenge and was later successfully another issue for the district administration
implemented Non availability of Health Stock, equipment
or Medicine stock along with poor medical 23. Majuli: Identification of those people who were infrastructure was also another challenge
travelling to Majuli via different points of non- No past history, experiences to deal with the
scheduled entry was the first and foremost new crisis situation, posed a serious
challenge during the lockdown period. Due challenge to take immediate response and
to lockdown, people were desperate to relief measure
reach homes by any means for which they Convening the meetings including
resorted to enter silently to Majuli via small awareness programmes executed by the
ferries, which might have led to the spread DDMA, Departments, NGOs etc. was
of the virus in the district challenging due to various restriction
Persuading the people engaged in catering, protocols and guidelines
hospitality and transportation business to Identification and then transporting the
provide food, accommodation and migrant workers to their home was a huge
transportation facilities to the migrant was challenge.
another big challenge. People were filled This disaster has more impact on
fear and anxiety the spread of the virus to occupation, agriculture sector, market,
them and their family member. education system, and all other
development sectors.
20 | P a g e
The District Administration had issued Lack of expertise of health care workers of
orders to all head of the Departments to stop government setup
any kind of construction related work. Which Lack of government supply of few essential
was badly affected all over development medicines of COVID-19
works during the Lockdown period Limited bed availability in health centres for
There was challenge to cater the critically ill patients
requirement of food items during the 25. Nagaon: lockdown period During the initial phases of COVID-19, a
24. Morigaon: good number of families/ individuals of other Tracing, transportation & sheltering of large States as well as other districts of Assam number of people coming from outside the were working in different sector like state by rail, road & air Industries, Tea Estates, Brick-Kilns, Lack of private nursing home at district level Agriculture, Business like street vending and for treatment of COVID patient door to door sale etc. for managing their Issue of online and offline passes to large livelihood number of people at a time during lock down As soon as complete lockdown was Lack of awareness among common people declared on 24/03/2020, all such people regarding COVID-19, lack of knowledge became stranded in the district and faced among common people regarding acute food problem due to loss of maintenance of health and hygiene, lack of employment and shutting down of shops and knowledge of fatality of COVID-19 movement of vehicles Disbelief of people regarding existence of Some of such stranded people stayed in COVID-19, poor socio-economic condition organized way whereas other lived in of people to maintain COVID-19 standard different place like Rented Houses, Lack of manpower/ Health worker and Roadside reserve land, Temples, Petrol infrastructure in the district to combat such Pumps and even in Hotels pandemic situation
21 | P a g e
During the initial phase, it was very difficult Collection of Bio medical and other wastes
to organize them to bring them under same generated from the quarantine centres,
roof or to keep them in clustered manner Isolation facilities etc. and disposal of same
due to lack of trained persons and public 26. Nalbari: incinerators Identification and management of Hired workers were not willing to work with a quarantine centre at the initial phase of Lock fear of being infected/ victimized by the down pandemic Tracing, transportation & sheltering of large Non availability of Standard Record keeping number of people coming from outside the format state by rail, road and air
Handling of exempted categories of 28. Sonitpur:
lockdown Availability of Infrastructure, i.e. Building
Arrangement of livelihood to the marginal having capacity to accommodate more than
section of the people during lockdown 100 person
Mobilization of private nursing home at Performing of duties by all stakeholders
district level for treatment of COVID patient while maintaining COVID-19 protocols
Issue of online & offline passes to large Awareness Generation among the public
number of people at a time during lock down about the pandemic
Financial Burden 27. Sivasagar: Limited Health Institutions which are well Cremation/Burial process was a prime equipped challenge during initial stage of COVID-19
pandemic due to public obligation in different 29. South Salmara:
places There were many challenges faced like
Electrified cremation ground would help to Infrastructure for Quarantine centre,
speed up the cremation process despite of Isolation centre, shortage of medical staff,
bad weather condition manpower, timely logistics support, Social
22 | P a g e
awareness, communication, movement Shortage of Health care worker, ambulance,
control of people etc. ICU equipped hospitals.
Rumours caused disturbance in normal life 30. Tinsukia: during the early stage due to viral videos/ During COVID-19, the main challenge was posts in Social Media shortage of medical staff, equipments and There were hindrances in streamlining the facilities like ICU beds, ventilators, food/ essential commodities during the early ambulances, manpower etc. stage of lockdown 31. Udalguri:
Shortage of trained manpower
Shortage of facility/ hospital
Shortage of ICU, Ambulance etc.
Shortage of logistics
32. West KarbiAnglong:
Non- obeyance of COVID-19 rules declared
by Government
Un-available of Sanitation items and other
items within given radius
33. Hailakandi: At the initial stage of COVID-19, the major
challenges / issues faced by the District
Administration, Hailakandi are as follows:
Shortage of trained manpower
Lack of awareness among the common
masses about COVID-19
Shortage of infrastructure to be designated
as facility quarantine centers
23 | P a g e
BEST PRACTICES IN MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 (INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHS) IF ANY:
1. Baksa:
Direct support by physical visit to the
Quarantine centre by DC, ADC & CO with Awareness rallies on COVID-19 by AASHA Quarantine centre (QC)- in charge and workers, Banners and posters are hanged solving problem immediately within almost all part of the district 2. Barpeta:
For the smooth functioning of the district
administration during pandemic COVID-19,
the district was divided into many sectors
where one ADC was designated as a nodal
officer and co-ordinating officers are Circle
Officer and other line department officials. 3. Biswanath: Constituted different cells with a few officers Protirudhi Bondhu Volunteer’s active & staff participation in management of COVID-19 in i) Food cell: For providing good quality food grass root level and refreshment to the doctors, paramedic’s Ensuring Home Isolation by proper staff and people kept in Quarantine Centres monitoring by the Protirudhi Bondhu (PB) ii) Pass Cell: In order to issue of permissions volunteers and passes in favour of the persons and 4. Bongaigaon: vehicles engaged in essential services Project Milijuli- an initiative of Deputy iii) Transport Cell: For requisition of vehicles Commissioner & Chairman, DDMA, and to issue POLs for the essential services Bongaigaon was taken for participation of
the communities at the grass root level in the
fight against COVID-19. The project was a
24 | P a g e
four tier approach by forming Corona 5. Cachar: E-help centers were establish all around the Protirodhi Dal for management of COVID- district to help people in distress 19. Corona Protirodhi Dal was formed at the
village, Panchayat, Block and District level Involvement of community level volunteers
involving the grass root workers of the like Pratirodhi Bandhu and AAPDA Mitra in
Government Machinery and all the COVID related aspects like awareness
concerned officials of the Panchayat, Block generation, sanitization and in cremation
and District level. Using these persons 6. Charaideo:
prevention/containment of COVID-19 works Announcement regarding COVID-19 in the were done smoothly. It got a good response area under Moran & Sonari Municipal Board from the Stakeholders. of the District. Project Samarthan, also an initiative was Awareness generation among the people for started involving the communities to donate maintaining social distance and wearing and participate in the fight against COVID- face masks in public places like Grocery 19 Shops, Banks, Public Offices etc. with the Whats app no. of DEOC, DDMA, help of Protirodhi Bondhus and other Bongaigaon was shared for the people to officials express their grievances, provide vital Sanitization in urban as well as rural areas information etc. which got a huge success like Banks, Markets, Hut- Bazar with the help Food cell & House-keeping cell for of Gaon Panchayat, Moran & Sonari monitoring and prompt trouble shooting, of Municipal Board and district Fire & any problem that may arise under North Emergency Service Salmara Sub-Division. Pasting of Home Isolation and Containment Weekly meeting with all the members of zone posters and barricading the area to Corona Protirodhi Dal, Block, GP and even isolate every COVID positive case village level to tackle all the day to day Facilities for hand washing at public offices, problems shops etc. for public.
25 | P a g e
7. Chirang: stranded outside the state for availing govt.
Sensitization programme was organized for cash benefits
the departmental officials/ staff on regular Issued directives to the departments to set
basis up hand washing facilities at the entry points
Awareness programme were organized for of their respective offices
the School Focal Point Teachers of different 8. Darrang: Schools in collaboration with Health Officials Providing transportation, accommodations, so that the trained teachers can sensitize food, drinking water, Baby food, Milk, fruits students in their locality to children to around 1,000 migrant labours Miking as well as leaflet distribution was in a day coming from different parts of the carried out for mass awareness amongst country public Registration/ Preparation of database of Deployment of Pratirodhi Bandhu volunteers around 10,364 Nos. of Migrant populations in monitoring social distancing in Banks, who came to this district, by different means ATMs, Markets and extended helping hand of communication to the families who were in quarantine Sending of stranded migrant labours to their Collaborated with different departments like respective district/ states / country observing PHED, Fire Services, IOCL-BGR, etc. for COVID-19 protocols as per the SOP sanitization of public places /Guidelines and deadline fixed by the Govt. Distributed masks and sanitizers free of cost Receiving of around 812 nos. of public calls to those who could not afford it relating to COVID-19 and taking steps for Regular telephonic follow up of those people disposal of complains/issues by the who were advised home quarantine by the Information Assistants of DEOC, Darrang health department in order to ensure that Involvement of Pratirodhi Bondhu govt. guidelines are followed Volunteers in remote areas for awareness Telephonic assistance provided to the generation on COVID-19 protocol and migrant workers of the district who were importance of social distancing through
26 | P a g e
miking, leaflet, etc. NGOs were involved for 10. Dhubri:
sanitization relating to COVID-19 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
Frequent sanitizations of public places like teams played a very key role in sanitization
offices, bus stops, market places, of various places
containment zones, etc. by Fire & Pratirodhi Bondhu volunteers helped in
Emergency Services and Municipal maintaining COVID-19 guidelines/
Authority protocols.
Engagement of ULB / PRI representatives Proper disposal of waste from the
for identification of COVID patient and Quarantine Centre and Swab collection
transportation to the local COVID Care Centre.
Centres 11. Dibrugarh: Due to proper awareness, without any Proactive actions like screening of Air hindrance of the public, cremation of COVID passengers, establishing COVID Control patient were done smoothly observing all room in the first week of February, 2020, i.e. COVID protocol far ahead of lock down etc. helped
9. Dhemaji: controlling the pandemic at the early stage
Several Awareness programmes were held Maintaining database of Ambulance
in the village level services in the district including private
Screening camps were organised in the Ambulance services
entry points of the district Provided the contact numbers of Home
Sanitization of all the Govt. line departments Isolation people to the officials engaged to
Office buildings, Quarantine Centres, Health monitor them
Institutions, Contaminated Govt. and private Quarantine Centres were identified in
banks, markets etc. were carried out with the advance with capacity of accommodation,
help of NDRF, SDRF and PHE, Health facilities available/ required
departments teams Engaging volunteers to create awareness
among common masses
27 | P a g e
12. Dima Hasao: patients (other than COVID-19) from district
Protirodhi Bondhu selfless service administration, Goalpara
throughout the district Under CSR, insurance of safai karmachari &
Sanitization of COVID Care Centres (CCC), medical workers
Quarantine Centres and areas by F&E.S Care kits for frontline medical workers
13. Goalpara: Use of local science college for productions
Laid emphasis on increasing Testing and of sanitizers during shortage
contact Tracing. Use of local SHGs for production of mask
Notified containment zones were monitored etc.
in co-ordination with police so as to control Under Goalpara cares initiative, retail
spread of COVID-19 funding to provide food & hygiene kits to
In order to promote and encourage the vulnerable families to supplement staples &
people engaged in different works related to govt. supplies
COVID-19, the District Administration, Use of masjid loudspeaker for relay of urgent
Goalpara used to select CORONA IEC messages
WARRIORS amongst them and highlighted Use of Poshan clubs for motivating &
in the District Administration Facebook Page orienting local population
Educational institutions were encouraged to 14. Golaghat: continue their teaching-learning activities The District Administration had conducted a through on-line meeting with the Tea Garden Authorities and The garbage generated from the quarantine started a whatsapp group to track every case centres was ensured to be disposed-off by and for immediate response and relief the way of burning in pit dug at a distant activities. Every Tea garden had to submit a place daily report of visitors and activities taken for In order to continue the normal treatment of COVID 19 patients other than COVID-19, MoU was
signed with the Private Hospitals to admit
28 | P a g e
distribution of other essential commodities
through Common Services Centers
The District Administration also had meeting with
the Transport Department, Transport Awareness programmes and mitigation Associations, local dealers and media personnel measures taken like distributing leaflets, street for precautionary measures to be taken and plays, public announcements, installation of tracking mechanism for passengers coming from hand wash point and sanitizers etc. outside Assam. A questionnaire was developed
and distributed for collecting passenger details
Power of Information Technology: The CSC AWARENESS THROUGH PRATIRODHI BONDHU SPV team of Golaghat had stood at the front of
community services reaching to their door steps.
They had provided tele medicines along with live
consultations with the Doctors of Ministry of
Ayush, Apollo Hospitals, Down Town Hospital etc.
CSC team has also provided services at the Flood
relief camps for tele medicine, consultation and
29 | P a g e
The district has developed the 1st COVID-19
Home Quarantine App (COVID SURAKSHA) in
Assam for monitoring the home quarantine
patients which was inaugurated by Hon’ble
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT Chief Minister, Assam on 6th April’2020. The
App helps in 100% full proof monitoring of home
quarantine patients and effectively checks the
spread of Corona Virus. The app has been
implemented in all other districts as well.
LEAFLET DISTIBUTION
HAND WASHING POINT 16. Jorhat: 15. Hojai: Conducted coordination meeting with NGOs/ Engagement of Protirodhi Bandhu volunteers in CSOs and other organizations and mobilize Quarantine Centres and COVID 19 dead body their facilities / support to the needy persons in disposal planned manner
All stranded labourers / migrant labourers in the
district from other states and other needy people
had been provided relief / essentials items
though civil society organizations and NGOs like
Indian Red Cross Society, Zomato, Feeding
India, Marwari Yuva Mancha, HELP, NEADS, Screening of Railway/Air/ Road passengers in Journalist Association etc. Around 52,000 such various screening centers migrant labourers / other needy people had
been provided with such help. Regular calls are
30 | P a g e
being made from control room to ensure that all 18. Kamrup (M)
necessary support reach them Disposal and burial of dead bodies: Disposing
Pratirodhi Bondhu Volunteers and Civil Defence and burial of dead bodies was systematically
volunteers are widely engaged in the market arranged by DDMA. Proper precautions were
areas, CODID-19 screening centres, different taken and conducted the cremations in a very
offices etc. to maintain social distancing norms systematic way as per SOP. More than 900
Civil Defence volunteers are engaged in all parts dead bodies were disposed
of the district to monitor the containment 19. Karbi Anglong: measures taken by DDMA, Jorhat relating to
COVID-19 Awareness generation on COVID especially
house to house visit of ASHAs, postering, 17. Kamrup: involvement of local NGOs among public played Involvement of Pratirodhi Bondhu and AAPDA a vital role in removing the social stigma that Mitra volunteers as community volunteers to people had related to COVID create awareness at various levels 20. Karimganj: Maintenance of social distance in shops and The joint effort of the important departments are
other places by marking a circle at 1 meter very appreciating such as:-
interval Sanitization of the quarantine centres done by
Distribution of leaflets to create awareness the Fire & Emergency Services Stations &
Marking throughout the district w.r.t. do’s and PHED.
don’ts during Covid-19 Services rendered by the Health Deptt./ NHM/
Police Deptt., Transport Deptt., ASTC,
Education Deptt. etc.
Assistance provided by the VDPs, Non-
Governmental Organizations in distribution of
Masks, food items along with the District
Administration
31 | P a g e
21. Kokrajhar: Formation of Constituency level quarantine and
Social distancing, awareness and marking of isolation center management committees for
circles at Grocery Shops, Bank branches, smooth supervision
CSP’s, CSC’s, Market places, Clubs, Mosques Villagers co-operated in respect of lockdown as
and temples with the help of Field Officials of they themselves made arrangements to halt the
DDMA and Women Pratirodhi Bondhu movement of vehicles in villages
Volunteers Use of Volunteers in Rapid Antigen Tests for
Hand washing techniques and awareness on helping Medical Officials to maintain COVID-19
social distancing are being practiced at villages protocols among the patients or persons
and Govt. Offices 22. Lakhimpur: Creating awareness on the protocols for the For the smooth functioning of the District Home Quarantine people and people in isolation Administration during pandemic COVID-19, who have been released from institutional different cells were constituted as shown below: quarantine centers i) District Covid-19 cell: For preparation of day to Sanitization carried out 24×7 at different places day reports, checklist of precautionary with the help of PHED, F&ES, and Municipal measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 etc. Officials ii) Food cell: For providing good quality food and Food Distributed to the stranded peoples stuck refreshment to the doctors, paramedics’ staff at Srirampur check gate and people kept in Quarantine Centres. Regular monitoring and psycho-social support iii) Pass Cell: In order to issue permissions and to the home quarantine persons by Field passes in favour of the persons and vehicles Officials and Volunteers engaged in essential services DEOC Control room co-ordinated with other iv)Transport Cell: For requisition of vehicles and districts and states round the clock for stranded to issue POLs for the essential services persons A call centre dedicated to COVID-19 had been
opened by the District Administration,
Lakhimpur to perform the following works.
32 | P a g e
i) Bulk SMS
ii) Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
iii) Cloud Telephony
Purpose – Active Surveillance of health status in
containment area and home quarantined
persons
23. Majuli:
Awareness program was done throughout the
1st lockdown to continuously 1 (one) months in
every nook and corner of the District which was
helpful for awareness generation to the public
A Mask on Lakhimpur campaign is being run by
the District Administration on Facebook page
uploading various awareness poems, pictures,
cartoons etc. for awareness of general people
Protirudhi Bondhu Volunteer active participation
in management of COVID-19 in grass root level
Ensuring Home Isolation monitoring by the PB
volunteers
The District Administration and Health
Department had taken all the necessary steps
and measures to contain the spread of COVID
The District Administration arranged for an online
delivery app called “Antflip” where buyers can
directly connect with the hawkers of Groceries,
Vegetables and House-hold goods through the app
33 | P a g e
19 in Majuli District. The department organized A Mask making Committee was formed during
a Screening Team at all 14 Ghats for check-up the lockdown period involving SHG and they
of local and foreign tourists. Moreover a Help made 1 lakh masks for school students, ASHA,
Desk was also set up for awareness of the Panchayat level workers, which helped the
passengers and local people about COVID-19 economically weaker sections during the crisis
Successful distribution of NON-NFSA rice situation.
through Revenue staff at various places in the 24. Morigaon: District by maintaining COVID-19 protocol Early hospitalisation of symptomatic patients Majuli District Administration marked circles on Early imitation of antibodies, antiviral, the ground in front of Banks, ATMs and grocery antithrombotic agents, steroids, oxygen therapy shops of Majuli district to maintain physical another supportive measures distance between the customers Mental support to patients
Distribution of IEC materials for COVID-19
Mitigation like Posters, Banners, Leaflets and
awareness Booklets on Corona Virus for
Children and also advisory for elderly citizens of
Assam on COVID-19 prevention provided by
ASDMA to all Revenue Circles of Morigaon The District Administration opened 24X 7 District District COVID call Centre for prevention and Installation of hand washing facilities in public immediate action on COVID-19. District places like Bank, Market Places , Bus stands, Administration also uploaded the details and Auto stand for generating awareness contact numbers of concerned officials in the
Majuli District Administration website Regular contact with All the Gaon-burha &
(www.majuli.gov.in) for any queries and ASHA workers from DEOC in order to take the
information of public feedback from each village about enforcement
of lock down and health status of community
34 | P a g e
Pratirodhi Bandhu volunteers, Volunteer Ensured wearing of Masks by all citizens.
organizations– Indian Red Cross Society Sufficient number of COVID Care Centres
(Morigaon Branch), Morigaon, Mahila Mehfil, (CCCs) maintaining COVID-19 protocol were
Poohar, Ahsus Foundation, Woman set up to facilitate more inmates
Development Centre etc. have been Implementation of Hand wash practices in front
continuously engaged to strengthen community of the shops, market places banks etc.
networking for containment of COVID-19, Distribution of Face Masks, Hand Sanitizers and
sensitize people about COVID-19 hygiene leaflets
protocols. The Inter-Agency groups has also Engaged of Pratirodhi Bondhu Volunteers in
been involved for Miking in all the villages about highly crowded places for maintaining Social
COVID-19, Making and Distribution of masks, Distancing, Use of Masks & Use of Hand
distribution of food and essential items among Sanitizer or hand wash.
the needy people and teaching proper hand- 26. Nalbari: washing demonstration in the remote areas in Installation of hand washing facilities in public
collaboration with DDMA, Morigaon. places like Bustand , Auto stand for generating
For each containment zone, Pratirodhi Bandhu awareness
along with Gaonburah were deputed for delivery Regular contact with All the Gaon burha & ASHA
of essential items workers from DEOC in order to take the
Last scale Sensitization done at market places, feedback from each village about enforcement
Govt. offices, Hospitals etc. of the Morigaon of lock down and health status of community
district with the help of Fire & Emergency Involvement of Pratirodhi Bandhu for
Services and SDRF, Morigaon. awareness generation
Home delivery of vegetables & other food items
25. Nagaon: were ensured during lockdown as report of
Awareness drive amongst all section of people scarcity of food & other essential items were not
were carried out received Sanitization of all Offices, business place 27. Sivasagar: /market area in all Municipal and Village area.
35 | P a g e
Advance meetings held with committees of all E-help centres were established all around the
cremation / burial grounds of the district district to help people in distress.
SOP developed for Bio-medical waste disposal
at district level
Development of different Daily Reporting
Formats at district level effective monitoring and
record keeping (Formats for quarantine centres
/ Hotels, Food Suppliers etc.).
Engagement of Pratirodhi Bondhu Volunteers
28. Sonitpur:
Performance of all field level staff i.e. ASHA,
ANM, AWW, Revenue & DDMA officials, Police
etc. 30. Tinsukia:
Hygiene & Sanitization measures taken at all Young volunteers of the community known as
Govt. premises. Pratirodhi Bondhu helped in combating the spread
of the COVID-19 in Tinsukia District. These 29. South Salmara: volunteers are helping District Administration with Promptly response by our SDRF team, field their selfless services in maintaining COVID-19 workers and fast reporting system by our ASHAs Guidelines in the district till now. to Block Project Management Unit (BPMU) The District Administration had daily monitored Pratirodhi Bondhu volunteers helped in the supply of essential goods and movement of maintaining COVID-19 guidelines the essential services to ensure sufficient
36 | P a g e
availability of food grains, milk and medicine in the
District.
33. Hailakandi:
Emphasized was put in place to increase
Testing & Contact Tracing.
Notified containment zones were monitored
in co- ordination with police so as to control
31. Udalguri: spread of COVID-19.
The joint effort of the important department are In order to promote & encourage the people appreciating such as:- engaged in different works related to COVID-
Effective screening and quarantining by engaging 19, the District Administration, Hailakandi
the community. used to select CORONA WARRIORS
Sanitization of the quarantine centres by Fire & amongst them & highlighted in the District
Emergency Services and PHE. Administration Facebook Page.
Involvement of Prathirodhi Bondhu volunteers in Dedicated Control Room setup at DEOC
Information dissemination where calls and video calls are made
Assistance provided by the Non-Governmental constantly to ensure people do not go out of
Organization in distribution of food items along the Containment Zone.
with the district administration. Educational institutions were encouraged to continue their teaching- learning activities 32. West Karbi Anglong: through Online. Customer in queue during Lockdown as per Govt.
guidelines of maintaining Social Distancing
37 | P a g e
The garbage generated from the quarantine
center was ensured to dispose by the way of
burning in pit dug at a distant place.
In order to continue the normal treatment of
patients other than COVID-19, MoU was
made to the Private Hospitals to admit
patients (other than COVID-19) from District
Administration, Hailakandi.
Under CSR, insurance of safai karmachari &
Medical workers.
Care kits for frontline Medical workers.
Use of local Science College for productions
of sanitizers during shortage.
Use of local SHGs for production of masks,
etc.
Under Hailakandi care initiative, retail funding
to provide food & hygiene kits to vulnerable
families to supplements staples & Govt.
supplies.
Use of DIPRO through miking.
Use of Poshan clubs for motivating &
orienting local population.
38 | P a g e
CO-ORDINATION MECHANISM / CHALLENGES: Main challenge occurred during finding out
1. Baksa: migrant workers coming from outside places and
Close involvement with public NGOs, Media etc. maintaining a proper database of them. A
by conducting awareness programme etc. difference can be seen in the database prepared
Coordination with Health dept., Police personnel, by health officials with the database maintained by
PHE, WRD, PWD, BDOs, Teachers and front line local administrative authorities based on the
employee’s dept. feedback of gaon-burhas and other local sources
During the time of transporting the Migrant/ 2. Barpeta: Stranded workers some of the States were not
Central Co-ordination of all activities through responsive enough
control room (DEOC) 4. Bongaigaon:
Incident Response system activated. Co-ordination with various stakeholders was done
i) 1077 – Common control room for both district through review meeting, video conference etc.
administration and health department and With the increasing number of migrants returning
Whatsapp No. (9864643089) was circulated back home, working with limited man power by
ii) 24 x 7 duty by different departments (8 hourly keeping them motivated
shift) Survey of containment zones with limited number
iii) All issues (feedback, Home quarantine, of field level staff was very challenging
symptomatic persons screening, lockdown, 5. Cachar: Mapping and managing coordination mechanisms essential services) handled centrally. Developing repertoires for thinking beyond the 3. Biswanath: Frequent meeting was organized with the immediate demands of the crisis, and ensuring
concerned line departments reliance across the system
Telephonic communication was maintained with Inclusion of various line departments for
all concerned remaining fully functional during the pandemic
Various cells, control room were notified to 6. Charaideo: manage the Covid-19 response. Good co-ordination with the personnel related to Challenges Health and Medical Department, Fire &
39 | P a g e
Emergency Service, PHE, Police, Gaon Burhas, Establishment of Joint Control Room (24x7)
VDP, Panchayat Officials etc. deploying staff from DEOC, Health Department,
Lack of Doctors, Nurses and Paramedical staff in Police etc. for smooth co-ordinations information
Health Department in between line departments and other agencies
7. Chirang: Although there was a scarcity of medical staff
In addition to coordination with the line initially, it was managed in due course of time. 6
departments, the DDMA, Chirang also no.s of COVID CARE CENTRES with 458 beds
coordinated with Gaon Burahs/ Community with dedicated staff had been opened
leaders/ religious leaders in generating mass There is no ICU in Dhemaji. However equipments
awareness amongst common people for a 20 bedded have been received and repair/
8. Darrang: renovation for a ICU in Dhemaji Civil Hospital will
be started. However there has been a very close Using of Information Technology in all the coordination with AMCH, Dibrugarh for the approachable ground for arrangement of patients needing referral Coordination mechanism from PRI / GB Level to 10. Dhubri: District Administration/ Police Administration A good co-ordination among the Civil Formation of whatsapp group for prompt disposal Administration, Health, Police and other of any unwanted situation, coordination with all departments was established and were available concerned with District Administration / Police 24 x 7 for the passengers arriving at the district Administration Wide publicity was carried out through DIPRO Ensure functioning of CSCs for hassle free woks; using FLS, poster, distribution of hand bills, reduce gathering, tally medicine process etc. pamphlets etc. Issue of E-Pass and providing of other Govt. Health Department and AWW jointly visited the services with the help of IT in time of pandemic home quarantined people on regular basis situation on emergency ground Challenges
9. Dhemaji: As 108 ambulances were mostly unavailable, it
became difficult for the movement of serious
cases other than COVID-19
40 | P a g e
Due to a large no. of Quarantine centre it was involving all heads of departments for better
very difficult to supply food for each person in the co-ordination
Quarantine Centre. 14. Golaghat:
11. Dibrugarh: The District Administration had meetings with
various stake holders for containment of COVID- Co-ordination mechanism- 19 Constituted Incident Response Team (IRT) The District Administration started a whatsapp assigned duties & monitoring group with every department, Police, health Circle Level Plan prepared, officials were practitioner for tracking every passenger from assigned responsibilities outside the State in the initial stage. Also, for Different cells were formed under the supervision keeping track of COVID -19 cases of Senior officials and accordingly plan out steps The District Administration had meetings with for managing COVID related activities Chamber of Commerce for sufficient stock of
12. Dima Hasao: essential items and regulating opening of shops
Though co-ordination between different with alphabetical markings
departments is good enough, it was not Review meetings held at the District, Sub Division
satisfactory to handle the pandemic, as all the line and Circle level to take feedback of the
departments are under the Administrative control management system and requirement of
of N.C Hills Autonomous Council, Halflong. assistance for better management of the crisis
situation 13. Goalpara:
To ensure the response in a holistic manner, the 15. Hojai: district administration immediately constituted the A 24x7 Control Room is set up in coordination with following committees: Health and Food and Civil Supplies departments
District Level task force for COVID-19 Training of Municipal Workers/ Protirodhi
Incident response team (IRT) for COVID-19. Bandhus on Deadbody Disposal in connection
Accordingly regular meeting was conducted with COVID 19 deaths.
41 | P a g e
16. Jorhat: (Karbi- Anglong Autonomous Council) through
For necessary co-ordination among the NHM.
concerned departments/ officials, the District All the line departments were cooperative and
Level Incident Response Team (IRT) for COVID- were prompt in response in managing COVID
19 in respect of Jorhat district was constituted as 20. Karimganj: per Incident Response System (IRS) and notified To ensure the response in a holistic manner the accordingly District Administration immediately constituted the The meeting of Incident Response Team (IRT) following committees :- and DDMA, Jorhat was conducted regularly for District Level task force for COVID-19. smooth co-ordination among the concerned Incident Response Team (IRT) for COVID-19. departments/ officials/ doctors etc. Accordingly, regular meeting was conducted Whatsapp groups were created at different levels involving all heads of departments for better co- involving key officials of concerned departments ordination for smooth co-ordination and quick dissemination 21. Kokrajhar: of information
District level and Sub Divisional level task force 17. Kamrup: formation with all pioneer line departments and All the departments worked in close coordination regular meeting has been conducted to manage the COVID-19 pandemic A very good co-ordination and prompt response
18. Kamrup (M): with PHED, F&ES, Town committee &
Co-ordination among agencies was as per IRS. Municipality, BDO Office, Health & Family welfare
Even in Lockdown the co-ordination among Deptt, Police Department, SSB, CRPF etc.
agencies were prompt and responded effectively 22. Lakhimpur: 19. Karbi Anglong: Central Co-ordination of all activities through One bottleneck in the 6th Schedule district is that (DEOC) control room Deputy Commissioner executes the disaster Incident Response system was activated response work but the fund is utilized by the KAAC
42 | P a g e
i) 1077 – Common control room for both district The District Administration had meetings with
administration and health department and various stake holders for containment of COVID-
Whatsapp No. is 6000188628 19
ii) 24 x 7 Magistrate (8 hourly shift) The District Administration had meetings with
iii) All issues (feedback, Home quarantine, Food & Civil Supplies and Whole sellers for
symptomatic persons screening, lockdown, and sufficient stock of essential items and sale with
essential services) handled centrally. maintenance of COVID-19 protocols
iv)All magistrates trained on handling above Review meetings were held at the District level
issues and guidelines issued and Circle level to take feedback of the
management system and requirement of 23. Majuli: assistance for better management of the crisis Major Challenge was to find out migrant workers situation coming from outside States and maintaining a 24. Morigaon: proper database of them. The database was Good co-ordination existed amongst
maintained by local administrative authorities administration, health department, 104/108,
based on the feedback of Gaon burhas, ASHA transportation system and Medical Colleges
and other local sources (GMCH)
The District Administration coordinated with the There is good coordination among health
PHED & Fire & Emergency Service for sanitization institution, CCC and District Hospital for
of the quarantine centres and the district management and handling of COVID-19 positive
The District Administration has published the List patients
of Dos and Don’ts for the prevention of spread of A 24X7 Control Room had been set up at
Novel Corona Virus through ASHA, GB, Morigaon Circuit House with telephone number
Teachers, and Lot Mandal in local language 03678241341 and Toll free no. 1077 for COVID-
During the time of transporting the Migrant/ 19 with DEOC staff as well as staff mobilized from
Stranded worker some of the States were not Govt. line Departments
responsive enough COVID Core Cells & District Level Task Force
Committee members under the chairmanship of
43 | P a g e
Deputy Commissioner organised meetings on Co-ordination mechanism was executed as per
every order related to lockdown & unlock issued Incident Response System (IRS). No lack of co-
by State Govt. & Central Government ordination seen amongst Incident Response
Team members of different line department/ 25. Nagaon: stakeholders of IRT from top to bottom No major challenges were faced in co-ordination No other co-ordination challenges were observed mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic
Officers and staff from P&RD, PHE, Social 28. Sonitpur:
Welfare, Education and other line departments Co-ordination with all stakeholders of the society
were engaged in management of different CCCs are maintained through DDMA, Magistracy
and District health Screening Centers for Branch,DHS etc.
containment of COVID 19 29. South Salmara: Local NGOs were also involved in management of Health team, Administration co-ordination team, Covid-19 Sanitization team and Police team are available Community wise coordination were established 24 x 7 at the screening centre for the passenger’s which resulted in timely receipt of information arriving at the district
26. Nalbari: Wide publicity was carried out through publicity
DEOC has been activated as COVID Control department by miking, poster, distribution of hand
Room on 24X7 basis with DEOC staff as well as bills, pamphlets etc.
staff mobilized from Govt. line Department. 30. Tinsukia: Meetings with officers from District Administration
and Police Administration was held on every order An NGO coordination group was formed which
related to lockdown & unlock issued by State helped the stranded migrant labourers and other
Govt. & Central Government. needy persons in the District. Wide publicity was
carried out through FLS and Whatsapp groups 27. Sivasagar: and social media on COVID-19 Guidelines. A
Control Room with toll free number was
44 | P a g e
functioning at DC’s Office, Tinsukia round the conducted involving all heads of
clock for addressing all public grievances. departments for better co- ordination.
Grievances were also received through text Flying Squad for constant monitoring of price
messages and WhatsApp and necessary steps rise in the District.
were taken by the District Administration to Sector Magistrate nominated for proper
resolve the distressed messages and calls functioning of law & order & also monitor
Containment zone 31. Udalguri:
To ensure response in a holistic manner, the
District administration immediately constituted the
following committees:-
District Level Task Force for COVID-19.
Incident Response Team (IRT) for COVID-19.
Accordingly regular meetings were conducted
involving all heads of departments for better
coordination
32. West Karbi Anglong:
Positive response receipt from G.B, Lot
Mondal, Police Personnel, Health Dept and
others participating depts.
33. Hailakandi:
District Administration constituted the following
committees for response:
District Level Task Force for COVID-19.
Incident Response Team (IRT) for COVID-
19. Accordingly, regular meeting was
45 | P a g e
LESSONS LEARNT IN MANAGEMENT OF COVID- Adequate manpower and number of health 19 institute along with adequate facilities needed to 1. Baksa: be improved so as to effectively deal with COVID Lack of infrastructure to deal with multiple disaster -19 or any other epidemic at the same time A mechanism is to be prepared for effective
2. Barpeta: communication amongst the local authorities of
It is essential to increase health care facilities like the entire country
bed, especially ICU bed, sufficient ventilators etc. Awareness for fitness is required as it creates scarcity almost in all the districts in 4. Bongaigaon: order to reduce stress situations where patients The “One size fits all” theory does not apply to all cannot receive required treatment and to prevent The grass root level workers need to be trained hospitals from being overcrowded in times of well, especially in rural areas, as they are usually crisis, where there is a spike in patients requiring the first responders hospitalization
Governments should involve civil society in 5. Cachar:
discussing restrictive measures because this Public adherence and community participation is
increase compliance and the solidarity to shoulder a must, but efforts of the government are futile
the consequences unless observed by citizens. It must be
Active surveillance, setting up of district control understood that simple measures such as social
rooms for monitoring, capacity building of frontline distancing and wearing of masks can significantly
health workers, risk communication and strong reduce the rate at which the infection spreads. We
community engagement and addressing the have to adjust to a new normal wherein social
psychosocial needs of the vulnerable population distancing becomes the new norm and wearing of
are some of the key strategic interventions masks, the new fashion. In all this, community
implemented by the district that kept the disease participation is critical.
in control. Enforcement plays a major role in ensuring
implementation of rules that have been framed to 3. Biswanath:
46 | P a g e
curb the spread of corona virus, are observed Several guidelines / SOPs are issued by State/
strictly Central Govt. time to time based on the COVID-
19 situation and this has given important lessons 6. Charaideo: to the District Administration as well as public for To maintain basic hygiene and awareness containment of COVID-19 generation in the society for using mask and Enforcement of Social Distancing, wearing of maintain social distance mask etc. reduced the number of COVID Positive Social Stigma attached to the COVID-19 positive patients to below 2% in the district patients need to be cleared through awareness
campaigns 9. Dhemaji:
Suitable Quarantine cum isolation centres need to Requirement of more number of Health Personnel
be pre-identified along with sweepers and Requirement of more number of Hospitals
cleaners for any pandemic Public awareness and cooperation
Proper hygiene and sanitation is indispensable Availability of mask, sanitizer, gloves, PPE Kits
etc. 7. Chirang:
Focus should be extended beyond recurring 10. Dhubri:
disasters and should be well equipped with Social stigma attached to the COVID-19 positive
periodic mock exercises for any unforeseen patients. It is possible to clear through the
disaster with a well-designed SOP awareness campaign
The people living in the backward places are 8. Darrang: unaware of the COVID-19 protocols. More Management/ mitigation of multiple disasters awareness need to be created amongst the simultaneously with limited human resources people living in backward places /basic facility The fundamental lesson learnt from COVID 19 is Use of Information Technology in that proper planning, management; coordination communication/providing prompt emergency amongst the line departments together can fight services to the citizens with proper verification of and control such a pandemic situation as well as records with the help of IT any kind of disaster
47 | P a g e
11. Dibrugarh: Keeping frontline workers & Departmental staff
Need of specific disaster management motivated is key to fight a pandemic
instruments (protocol/ guidelines etc.) for control 14. Golaghat: of pandemic There should be a dedicated plan to tackle the
12. Dima Hasao: crisis situation covering every aspect like human
Strengthening of DDMA regarding man power resource, livestock management, agriculture,
and resources required livelihood, financial institutions, commercial
A single command centre is important for co- sectors, transportation, health and sanitation,
ordination and execution, especially in 6th burial, disposal of the corpse, management of
Schedule areas. logistics
Roles and responsibilities should be defined in There should be strict protocol for hygiene and
case of pandemic in Disaster Management sanitation at market places, bus stand, Govt. and
Manual private Offices, Banks, ATMs, POL Depots.
Concerned department / agencies should be Special care to be taken for wet markets
given responsibilities regarding disposal of dead There should be mock drill at every levels -
bodies District, Sub Division, Circle and Block level for
crisis management involving all key stake holders 13. Goalpara:
Dedication and pro-activeness towards service 15. Hojai:
delivery is vital to minimize losses during Effective coordination must occur among the line
disasters departments
All the institutions should work in synergy to Awareness drive should be organized for
tackle any emergent situation Psychological impact during Pandemic
Helping the needy (as a community) is of divine 16. Jorhat: happiness It is a new experience for all to manage a Awareness has a great importance to deal with pandemic situation any pandemic
48 | P a g e
Initially the district faced hurdles as it was an 17. Kamrup:
unusual situation for all, but with the active support Effective leadership helps to bring proper
of all concerned departments /officials /doctors efficiency in managing a pandemic like COVID-
and other health deptt. staff ,Police etc. and with 19.
the guidance of the Govt. ,everything was Coordination amongst the departments can
managed properly in Jorhat district reduce the impact of a pandemic
Advanced planning and infrastructure facility Contingency planning: proper use of funds
development is very crucial / important to manage available
this type of pandemic situation 18. Kamrup (M): Proper co-ordination among the key departments Resource Management is the key to smooth /officials is vital to manage a disaster situation operation. If resources are in place and co- Active participation / involvement as well as co- ordination among agencies is good then any operation of public / common people is important disaster can be mitigated effectively. for proper management of disaster situation For instance PWD Department has supported in Active involvement of NGO's /CBO's with proper the construction of the make shift arrangements co-ordination with district administration/DDMA for accommodating 900 people in each of the makes the disaster management process much Quarantine Centres and COVID hospitals. PHE easier. Department has provided water supply in all the Judicious / optimum use of human recourses and centres and hospitals. APDCL has provided other resources also makes the things effective electricity in these centres and hospitals. Health Involvement of people with voluntary service department has provided the technical man power (volunteer) is also very helpful in managing the for management of the hospitals and quarantine disaster situations centres. Sports Authority of Assam has spared The control rooms (e.g. DEOC, Police control Sarusajai Stadium, Nehru Stadium for room and other key departments control room) constructing makeshift hospitals. Food & Civil may be equipped with all facilities /equipments for Supply Department, FCI supervised the fooding of better and effective co-ordination the quarantine people. F&ES has provided
49 | P a g e
sanitization of the centres. Transport department Need more suitable pre-identified infrastructures
and other private vehicle providers provided with adequate sweepers for any pandemic or any
vehicles for transporting people. Moreover local disaster
cremation grounds have helped by providing Need of more awareness campaigns to eliminate
cremation and disposal of dead bodies. Revenue social stigma related to COVID-19
& DM Department has provided necessary Mechanism to develop for fast and relevant
financial support for smooth operation of the information from field
activities for containment of COVID-19. All these Need protective gears for the field level staff and
cumulative efforts received from different also for volunteers
stakeholders, departments, the management of 22. Lakhimpur: COVID-19 has been effective till date. It is essential to increase health care facilities like 19. Karbi Anglong: bed, especially ICU bed, sufficient ventilators etc. More awareness is required on the preventive as it creates scarcity almost in all the districts in measures like wearing of Mask, maintaining social order to reduce stress situations where patients distancing as people are still lacking awareness cannot receive required treatment and to prevent Closer Co-operation between KAAC and DDMA. hospitals from being overwhelmed in times of
20. Karimganj: crisis, where there is a spike in patients requiring
It is learnt from the pandemic COVID-19 that hospitalization.
situation like multiple disasters like COVID-19, Governments should involve civil society in
flood, Landslide, Cyclone etc. may simultaneously discussing restrictive measures because this
occurs and preparedness and readiness is always increase compliance and the solidarity to shoulder
essential to overcome such situation the consequences
It is also important to have adequate Active surveillance, setting up of district control
infrastructure, regular training of manpower to rooms for monitoring, capacity building of frontline
handle any emergent situation which may occur at health workers, risk communication and strong
any moment community engagement and addressing the
psychosocial needs of the vulnerable population 21. Kokrajhar:
50 | P a g e
are some of the key strategic interventions Medication always deteriorates in spite of best
implemented by the district that kept the disease possible treatment
in control We have not seen any complication in young
patient and pregnant woman yet 23. Majuli: Only oxygen therapy does not have good result Adequate manpower and number of health Early initiation of treatment with intravenous institute along with adequate facilities needed to antibiotics, low molecular weight heparin, be improved so as to effectively deal with COVID steroids, antiviral drugs, high flow oxygen along -19 or any other epidemic with other supportive measures has promising There should be a dedicated plan to manage the results crisis situation covering every aspect like human
resource, livestock management, agriculture, 25. Nagaon:
livelihood, financial institutions etc. Creation of awareness amongst common mass to
Strengthening of local economy for self- follow the COVID 19 norms and guidelines was a
sufficiency at district level in every aspect in future major task in both urban and rural area
There should be strict protocol for hygiene and Enforcement of COVID-19 protocol is the biggest
sanitation at market places, Govt. and private challenge for District administration
Offices, Banks, ATMs, POL Depots as well as 26. Nalbari: wearing of mask and hand sanitizer should be Extensive awareness generation activities like compulsory in public places even during normal miking, leaflet, banner helped for implementation time of rules & regulation of lock down as no serious Awareness campaign at every level District, Circle violation of law & order was reported and Block level for crisis management involving all
key stake holders required 27. Sivasagar:
Awareness for fitness is required The COVID-19 pandemic was a complete new
challenge task for District Authority. Most of the 24. Morigaon: decisions had to be taken judicially to meet the Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary situational demand. Demands of different Disease (COPD), uncontrolled Diabetic
51 | P a g e
stakeholders, communities were also to be are afraid of being stigmatized for having COVID-
balanced 19, they may hide the illness to avoid
Effective management results from a sound co- discrimination. Humanitarian assistance is
ordination of all line departments required and all agencies should work together to
eliminate this fear from the general public. 28. Sonitpur:
Participation of general public with administration 31. Udalguri:
is of utmost important for tackling any pandemic Primary & Secondary level health care facilities
situation and manpower need augmentation.
Preparedness measures needs to be stepped up To encourage community based activities by
for any imminent disaster situation involving community volunteers. There is a surge in field level activities by field 29. South Salmara: functionaries like the ASHA, Angawadis, Basic lesson learnt from COVID 19 is that proper Prathirodhi Bondhus, Gaonburahs & VDPs. planning, management, coordination is necessary
to control such a pandemic situation. Integrity and 32. West Karbi Anglong:
attitude is important to fight in such a war like Clean & hygienic environment provide us healthy
situation. working experiences. 33. Hailakandi: 30. Tinsukia: Dedication & pro- activeness towards service Coordination with civil societies and media is a delivery is vital to minimize losses during disasters must in management of pandemic as both plays All the institutions should work in synergy to tackle an avid role in preventing spread of rumours and any emergent situation misinformation. For effective management and Awareness has a great importance to deal any implementation of COVID-19 protocol with a focus pandemic on hand washing and social distancing, requires It is important to keep frontline workers & full engagement of communities. Respect for Departmental staff motivated human dignity is fundamental in management of
COVID-19 as it was observed that when people
52 | P a g e
HIGHLIGHT CHALLENGES/ ISSUES FACED Management of Relief Camps by maintaining DURING FLOOD VIS A VIS COVID-19 social distance due to insufficient infrastructure in 1. Baksa: flood affected areas Deliberate violation of COVID-19 protocol at No social distancing mechanism can be followed flood relief camps by some inmates properly in relief camps To maintain social distancing in relief camps 4. Bongaigaon: Shortage of officers, manpower due to fear Maintaining social distance during rescue, relief psychosis of COVID-19 distribution and housing the affected people in 2. Barpeta: relief camps as per SOP of ASDMA Keeping people in relief centres and evacuation Screening of the relief camps inmates by the centres in the context of COVID-19 was Health Department extremely challenging while maintaining social Training programme regarding the management distancing and other safety measures to avoid of relief camps (RC) as per new guidelines of the risk of spreading or getting infected by the COVID-19 with relief camp in-charge virus Creation of awareness regarding COVID-19 in Distribution of relief materials during lockdown each relief camp (RC) during flood involving period due to COVID-19 pandemic in flood Pratirodhi Bandhu volunteers and relief camp in- affected areas was a big challenge for the charge authorities. 5. Cachar: Essential health services are already collapsing Flood like situation occured in Silchar Urban under the weight of pandemic. Government Areas, so it was difficult to open relief camps and employees are burdened, disaster management to follow COVID-19 protocol in RC. Three teams stressed and other supporting staff numbers of schools had to be used for a particular overworked and anxious area. It would have been difficult to cope with the 3. Biswanath: situation, if flood affected areas had increased,
resulting in exhausting of almost all the
government infrastructures
53 | P a g e
Families affected by flood had to be sheltered 9. Dhemaji:
under same school and at times it posed a Dhemaji district is situated adjacent to Arunachal
problem for families with large number of Pradesh and the district is having numerous rivers
members and rivulets which originates in the hilly terrain of
Masks and sanitizers mandatorily had to be used Arunachal Pradesh. During the monsoon period,
and during flood situation it was tough for people Dhemaji district often faces flash flood problems.
to abide by the same Hence the district gets very little time to prepare
Providing food to the relief camp members for sudden rush of floods which causes the district
to be more vulnerable to flood 6. Charaideo: During the rainy season lot of silt is coming from No flood like situation occurred in the district upper catchment of Arunachal Pradesh along with during COVID-19 pandemic torrential water which causes vast amount of silt
7. Chirang: deposition in the River bed of Brahmaputra and its
To maintain the social distancing norms in the various tributaries. Due to rising of river beds the
relief camps as per SOP of COVID-19 water carrying capacity of the rivers gradually
Limited availability of flood relief camps in the decreases and causes flood in river side areas
flood affected as well as nearby areas Flooding of new areas in the district such as
Mostly people were reluctant to go out of their Lakhipathar area under Dhemaji Rev. Circle.
village for taking shelter during flood due to Unavailability of proper flood warning system for
COVID-19 flash flood in the district
Arrangement of sufficient space for flood affected 8. Darrang: people in relief camps considering the COVID-19 Setting up of Flood Relief Camps as per COVID- guideline 19 protocols and maintaining social distancing Prolonged lockdown hampered in carrying out Management / mitigation of multiple disasters flood awareness programme as well as flood simultaneously with limited human resources mock drill before the onset of the flood period /basic facility
54 | P a g e
Lockdown and the fear of infection amongst the 12. Goalpara:
official staff hampered in carrying out regular Identification of relief camp management keeping
official work in view the COVID-19 protocols. More relief
camps had to be identified by the district 10. Dhubri: administration Rescue and evacuation operation of people from Lack of awareness apprehend the spread of the flood affected areas by maintaining social COVID-19 among the camp inmates distance was a challenge High land areas were identified to set up relief Family-wise room allotment was fulfilled keeping camps in view of all COVID-19 protocols Reluctance of the camp inmates to get As most of the health workers were engaged in themselves tested for COVID-19 COVID-19 duties, so providing health facilities to
the camps was most challenging 13. Golaghat:
Providing relief materials to far-flung areas The SDRF/ NDRF team with PPE Kit had to
became difficult due to manpower shortage conduct rescue operations even in extreme hot
Special care has been taken during distribution of weather
GR During rescue operations it was difficult to enforce
Thermal Screening and Swab test was arranged mask to the affected community
in the camps. Fortunately no one has been tested The inmates at Relief camps were advised to
positive in the camp maintain social distance, use mask, sanitizer and
Number of extra camps were increased practice hand wash. This was hardly followed by
the inmates. The adult could be convinced but 11. Dibrugarh: challenge was for the infant and children Shortage of departmental machine boat. At least While distributing GR items the Officials present one additional IWT boat required to be provided had to persuade the community members to High velocity de-watering pump is required to maintain social distance and use mask for mitigate the urban flood problem collection of GR items. There was challenge in Shortage of Shelter place to accommodate people
55 | P a g e
taking thumb impression of beneficiaries who Maintenance of social distancing during the
could not put signatures distribution of flood relief items among the flood
Due to space constraint at some Relief camps, it victims
was difficult to maintain physical distance. The 16. Kamrup: community was not ready to move to another relief Non-availability of more nos. of relief camps at camp away from their villages close intervals so as to maintain distance among With the support of AWWs, Child Friendly Spaces the inmates were opened in the Relief camps. The AWWs Non accessible areas during flood to carry out used every means to maintain social distance, sanitization process hand washing and masks in the CFS. During the
crisis situation the AWWs used their innovative 17. Kamrup (M):
skills to create a playing and learning environment Firstly, distribution of GR during flood while
at the CFS. maintaining all COVID protocols. In the relief shelters it was the challenge for the field officials Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the to make the affected people follow all COVID presence of doctors or paramedical staff at every protocols relief camp was not possible. However, in any
medical case, the medical team rushed for Maintaining social distancing amongst affected
assistance people and field officials was a challenge
14. Hojai: 18. Karbi Anglong:
Maintaining social distancing in Relief camps Flood affected people were reluctant to come to relief camps leaving their belongings at home, as Managing separate place for symptomatic security was not ensured persons It was difficult to maintain COVID protocols like 15. Jorhat: social distancing of 6 feet amongst the inmates in Arrangements for maintenance of social the relief camps. distancing and other sanitation facilities in the White markings were done on the floor of each flood affected areas and in flood relief camps. relief camps for maintaining social distancing for
56 | P a g e
each inmates but the issue of space constraints During rescue operations it was difficult to enforce
came up as the inmates of the camps increased. mask with PPE Kit to the affected community
During the flood period, most of the flood affected 19. Karimganj: families stayed at home due to COVID-19. At the No incident of flood reported from any corner of same time while receiving any health related the district during the ongoing monsoon season issues from them, the co-ordination by District 20. Kokrajhar: Administration was a big challenge Evacuation of affected peoples maintaining social The inmates at Relief camp were advised to distance is one of the main challenge, following maintain social distance, use mask, sanitizer and COVID-19 Protocol practice hand wash which was a challenge for the
21. Lakhimpur : infant and children
Putting people in relief centres and evacuation Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the
centres in the context of COVID-19 was extremely presence of Doctors or paramedical staff in every
challenging, keeping in mind social distancing and Relief camp was not possible
other safety measures to avoid risk spreading or While distributing GR items, the Revenue Circle
contracting the virus Officials had to persuade the community
Distribution of relief materials during lockdown members to maintain social distance and use
period due to COVID-19 pandemic and flood mask for collection of GR items. Sometimes it was
affected areas is a big challenge for the authorities a challenge for them
Motivating Government employees 23. Morigaon: overburdened, Disaster Management Teams Insufficient no. of raised platform in flood prone stressed and other supporting staff overworked areas especially under Bhuragaon Revenue and anxious Circle, it was not feasible to open and maintain
22. Majuli: Flood Relief camp
Management of Relief Camps by maintaining There was no place to shelter animals during flood
social distance due to insufficient infrastructure in Maintaining social distancing and other COVID
flood affected areas Protocol in road side shelter and rescue operation
57 | P a g e
Insufficient no. of trained personnel like AAPDA 26. Sivasagar:
MITRA volunteers in each village, rescue District Administration had to manage the flood
operation could not be executed in all the villages along with maintaining COVID-19 norms
at the same time Violating of social distancing norms was
At present there are only 2 or 3 nos. of IRB boat sometimes seen in few relief camps
with SDRF personnel which is not sufficient for 27. Sonitpur: immediate rescue operation. Therefore we need Selection of Probable Relief Camps for more IRB boat for Morigaon district maintaining COVID-19 protocols
24. Nagaon: Man-power
Management of Relief camps as well as Relief Transportation
distribution centre maintaining COVID-19 protocol Maintaining COVID-19 protocols
like social distancing, wearing of masks and 28. South Salmara: awareness on washing of Hands was the major The main challenge was rescue operation and challenges/Issues faced during Flood vis. a vis. evacuating people from the flood affected areas COVID-19 During flood the major challenge was to maintain Separate arrangements for children and old aged social distancing in areas where the people take people in relief camp was another issue, due to shelter in high land. constraint of space, as most of the colleges and Second major challenge was to organise health schools having better facilities were in use as camps COVID Care centre.
29. Tinsukia: 25. Nalbari: The main challenge was rescue operation and Inadequate boats and SDRF personnel in the evacuating people from the flood affected areas district leads to difficulty for rescue operation in
multiple locations simultaneously 30. Udalguri:
Maintaining social distancing and other COVID No major incident of flood was reported for the
Protocol in relief camps and rescue operation year 2020-21 and not required to set up any long duration relief camp. Temporary shelters are
58 | P a g e
managed as per COVID-19 guideline and no
major challenges found except erosion
31. West Karbi Anglong:
Inconvenience of space / building for setting up of
Relief Camps. Carrying GR materials through deplorable roads
Absence of Ware-houses.
32. Hailakandi: Hailakandi district was very fortunate that no flood
occurred this year, however every effort was
made to deal with the situation in case flood
occurred in the district.
Identification of relief camps, keeping in view of
the COVID-19 protocols. More relief camps had to
be identified by the District Administration.
Lack of awareness apprehended spread of COVID-19 among the camp inmates.
High land areas were identified to set up relief
camps.
Keep sufficient numbers of trained personnel and
volunteers ready
59 | P a g e
BEST PRACTICES IN MANAGEMENT DURING inmates were provided with free tele-medicine FLOOD VIS A VIS COVID-19 (INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHS) IF ANY: consultations, free emotional wellness
counselling, enrolment under Pradhan Mantri 1. Baksa: Fasal Bima Yojana, enrolment under Kishan Direct support and physical visit at the flood Credit card scheme etc. prone villages and providing relief by maintaining
COVID -19 protocols.
With the best of efforts it was not fully possible to
maintain the exact social distance norms
2. Barpeta:
Child friendly Spaces set up in relief camps as Awareness camp by DDMA with the help of per guidelines of relief camp management in the NDRF in flood relief camps about flood, COVID- context of COVID-19 vis- a- vis. flood preferably 19 and earthquake. in flood affected areas. All protocols for COVID-
19 containment including safety and security of
children were ensured in CFS. Participants were
from various departments like Health, Education,
Social welfare, PHED, Police, APDCL etc.
3. Biswanath:
Set up of Child friendly Space at Dathkola, Halem
Revenue Circle
GR was Packed and distributed among flood
affected to maintain social distancing E- Help desk at relief camp served multiple
benefits for the flood affected population
particularly for the inmates of relief camps. The
60 | P a g e
During flood relief distribution process, all the 7. Darrang:
people were seen wearing mask and maintaining 24x7 services during the flood time, the District
social distance officials as well as Deputy Commissioner visited
the flood prone areas with country boat/ machine 4. Bongaigaon: boat One CSC Centre was setup in each RC for Setting up of Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) during counselling of the relief camp inmates regarding flood as per COVID-19 protocols any problem related to COVID-19 and other Handling of smooth distribution of GR item to the issues. flood affected people along with management of Thermal screening of relief camps inmates were institutional quarantine centres simultaneously done by medical staff in each RC before entering with limited resources. The respective officers of in the RC the district were entrusted to check the quantity
5. Cachar: and quality of GR.
Generally in relief camps, raw and uncooked Sanitization of Quarantine centres and
food items are provided. But this time to contain Containment Zones providing hygiene/
the spread of COVID, cooked food maintaining sanitization facilities in the Relief Camps as well
all COVID protocols were distributed amongst as High Rise platforms
relief camp members. Daily reporting of COVID situation report and
Flood report in different prescribed format on 6. Chirang: time to the concerned authorities Availability of counselling for the children in the As desired by Govt., active Pratirodhi Bondhu relief camps Volunteers were involved in flood rescue, relief Arrangement of CFS (child Friendly Spaces) in camp management for ensuring social the relief camps distancing. E-help desk set up in the relief camps for various
services like telemedicine etc. for the camp 8. Dhemaji:
inmates Early preparation of Flood Contingency Plan
involving all major Govt. line departments
61 | P a g e
Formation of village level evacuation teams NDRF and SDRF teams frequently visited the
consisting of VLMCC members, Gaon burhas, riverine areas and created awareness about the
Lot Mondals, VDP personnel, local people and “Dos & Don’ts” during the flood period
Pratirodhi volunteers in flood vulnerable areas for CFS was created in the relief camps and children
smooth management of flood situation were engaged in various activities
Early identification of more no. of flood shelters 10. Dibrugarh: (98 nos.) considering the COVID-19 situation Prepositioning of Boat to evacuate marooned Deployment of sufficient numbers of NDRF & people from Chapori areas SDRF teams in the district Involving volunteers in Relief Camp to help the Establishment of separate Child Friendly Space camp inmates, maintain hygiene, personal safety (CFS) in flood shelters etc. Extensive conduct of awareness campaign
“Yaatra” for Flood and COVID-19 in various 11. Goalpara:
parts of the district Arrangements were made, including the
Early arrangement for distribution of GR availability of face masks and hand sanitizers in
materials with the F& CS & CA department and the relief camps
fixation of rate for procurement of GR materials Daily monitoring of the health condition of
Early identification of isolation centres for shifting inmates were done by medical teams
of infected COVID-19 patients in the flood shelter Inmate (s) found sneezing and suffering from
to separate locations common cold, Fever and breathing problem;
Distribution of Face Mask and Sanitizers to the were immediately isolated and later tested for
shelter inmates COVID-19
Sufficient number of hand tube wells and 9. Dhubri: temporary toilets were set up in the relief camps NDRF, SDRF and Protirudhi Bandhu created as per protocol of COVID-19 proper awareness regarding rescue techniques.
62 | P a g e
In order to maintain social distancing in the relief The Administration provided dignity kit to the
camps, the inmates were accommodated as per women and adolescent girls in the Relief camps
COVID-19 protocols to take care of their hygiene.
Apart from the supply of G.R., the relief camps
were regularly sanitized
Mission Tarang psychosocial counselling to
children
Lifes skill training for children in relief camps
Classes for students in relief camps. Teachers The Administration set up Separate Space for
oriented & provided lesson Lactating Mothers at Relief Camps which
Under Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani/ benefited the lactating mothers.
Goalpara cares programme reaching out to
elderly vulnerable groups
12. Golaghat:
During Flood the DDMA in coordination with
Social Welfare Department had set up the Child
Friendly Spaces (CFS), where the children of 13. Hojai: affected families were provided nutritious food Distribution of GR and children were engaged in learning and
playing
Home delivery of Grocery items and vegetables
Door to Door awareness drive in Relief camps,
flood affected areas.
63 | P a g e
Pratirodhi Bondhu Volunteers were of great help
in managing relief camps, distribution of GR
items.
Anganwadi Workers played a vital role in
establishing Child Friendly Spaces in relief
camps. They actively engaged the children in
recreation activities. 14. Jorhat: 17. Karimganj: To accommodate the probable flood affected The response mechanism (new SOP for people with social distancing norms, sufficient management of Flood vis a vis COVID-19) was numbers of proposed flood relief camps were shared with the Line Deptts. and orientation with identified in advance in all revenue circles the officials & staff of concerned deptts & other Sufficient numbers of sanitation /toilet facilities stakeholders were held which includes were arranged in advance in all proposed flood immediate deployment of Sanitization Teams, relief camps through the concerned departments. Medical Teams for Screening, setting up of Child Hand washing facilities, Sanitizers/soaps/mask Friendly Spaces and maintaining social etc. were arranged in all flood relief camps. distancing norms following COVID-19 protocols/
15. Kamrup: guidelines etc. for flood relief camp management.
Distribution of leaflets among the inmates in relief 18. Kokrajhar: camp. Awareness on flood safety advisories and safety Distribution of sanitizers and masks among the of children during emergencies has been inmates conducted with the help of Field Officials and Installing hand washing facilities in relief centers. Pratirodhi Bondhu Volunteers at flood prone Child friendly spaces maintaining all covid villages. protocols.
16. Kamrup (M):
64 | P a g e
Establishing more numbers of relief camps for One day workshop conducted on Incident
inmates keeping in mind the social distancing Response System (IRS) with all line departments
among the people in the relief camps. in the conference hall of the Deputy
Creating awareness in the relief camps for social Commissioners Office, Lakhimpur where clear cut
distancing, wearing mask and hand washing role allocation and command system is pre
frequently. assigned and manpower is trained. Resource
persons were from 12th BN NDRF, Doimukh, 19. Lakhimpur: Arunachal Pradesh. Mock exercise on Child friendly Spaces
conducted one each in all the revenue circles of
the district as per guidelines of relief camp
management in the context of COVID-19 vis- a-
vis flood preferably flood affected areas in order to
examine the state of preparedness of key
response institutions. All protocols for COVID-19 20. Majuli:
containment including safety and security of Set up of Child friendly Space at 6 Nos of Relief children were ensured in CFS. Participants were camps. Which was very effective for children to from various departments like Health, Education, include learning spaces for children and mantel Social welfare, PHED, Police, APDCL etc. support during the flood period. Also provided
nutritious food and playing.
During the GR was distributed among flood
affected to maintain social distancing was
65 | P a g e
compulsory through Revenue Circle Staff, GB, Introducing and preparation of napier grass for the
APDAMITRA Volunteers and Pratirodhi Bandhu first time in the district, which was help to the
and also compulsory for received of GR items to community for income generation as well as
be maintained the wearing of Mask and hand sufficient cattle fodder used in flood period.
sanitizer.
21. Morigaon: Separate spaces for lactating mothers to breastfeed, visits by ASHAs and Anganwadi Police personnel, Pratirodhi Bandhu volunteers,
workers etc. School Teachers and Gaonburah were involved to maintain social distancing and COVID-19 protocol
during flood relief distribution.
22. Nagaon:
Use of Pratirodhi Bondhu Volunteers during Flood
and COVID 19. The inmates at Relief camps were advised to Special emphasis on conduct of vigorous RTPCR maintain social distance, use mask, sanitizer and test amongst flood affected people to reduce practice hand wash. which was successfully done contamination in the relief camps and locality. by inmates. Distribution of washable face masks amongst
flood affected people.
23. Nalbari: Installation of bamboo barricade for maintaining
social distancing during distribution of relief
materials to the flood affected people
66 | P a g e
Activation of Child Friendly Space at relief centre
under Pashim Nalbari RC.
Identification of more numbers of relief camps for
the year 2020 than previous years due to COVID-
19
24. Sivasagar:
Advance training for relief camp in charge on flood
as well as do’s and don’ts of COVID-19 by Health
Department
Awareness campaign among inmates carried out
by Health Department 27. Tinsukia:
Child Friendly Spaces in relief camps The Pratirodhi Bondhu volunteers and local
Different guidelines received from ASDMA in organisations helped in evacuation of marooned
advance for management of flood along with people and their belongings. Local NGOs in
COVID-19 coordination with District Administration provided
Early warning for flood food to the needy people and helped the District
Administration in awareness generation. 25. Sonitpur:
Performance of all Revenue & DDMA officials
while maintaining COVID-19 protocols
Functioning of DEOC as nerve centre for both
Flood & COVID-19
26. South Salmara:
SDRF team and local people helped in i rescue
operation to flood affected people
67 | P a g e
28. Udalguri: Inmate (s) found to be sneezing & suffering from
The response mechanism to tackle the situation common cold, fever & breathing problem; were
of flash flood in Kalaigaon Revenue Circle which immediately isolated & later tested for COVID-19.
includes immediate evacuation, deployment of Sufficient number of hand tube wells & temporary
sanitization team, Medical team for screening, toilets were setup at the designated relief camps
and employees of Social welfare department in as per protocol of COVID-19.
the relief camp to set up the Child friendly Spaces Baby food Children & nutritious diet for lactating
and maintain social distancing following COVID- mother were provided for maintaining good
19 guideline for flood relief camp management health at Quarantine Facility.
High risk people like elderly, pregnant women 29. West Karbi Anglong: were directly sent to home isolation after tested Children carrying their basic necessities during negative for COVID-19 & regularly follow up by
recent flood. ASHA workers & MPW.
Mission Tarang psychology counseling to
children.
Village level management committee regularly
arranges place for home isolation & monitor that
no one venture out of Containment Zone.
Under Surakshit Dada- Dadi, Nana- Nani/ 30. Hailakandi: Hailakandi cares programme reaching out to
Arrangements were made including the elderly vulnerable.
availability of face masks & hand sanitizers at the Google spread sheet was used for maintaining all
Quarantine Facility. records in respect of COVD-19.
Daily monitoring of health condition of inmates Receiving all calls related to supply of essential were done by the Medical teams. food commodities and arranging distress call for
counseling with physiatrist.
68 | P a g e
CO-ORDINATION MECHANISM/ Insufficient rescue professional and mechanized
CHALLENGES: boat
1. Baksa: 4. Bongaigaon: Engagement of Protirodhi Bondhu / Volunteers for Co-ordination with various stakeholders was done maintaining social distancing norms in market, through review meeting, video conference etc. Offices, relief camps and bridge the gap between Creation of Relief camp management team to community and the administration monitor the Relief camp (RC) during flood Co-ordination between the civil administration Volunteers are also actively engaged to each with concern dept. like SDRF, NDRF, Animal Relief camp (RC) in order to serve during Husbandry, Medical, Police PHED etc. emergencies
2. Barpeta: 5. Cachar: Central Co-ordination of all activities through Mapping and managing coordinating mechanisms control room (DEOC) Developing repertoires for thinking beyond the Incident Response system activated immediate demands of the crisis, and ensuring All issues related to flood and COVID 19 were reliance across the system taken care of simultaneously
6. Chirang: 3. Biswanath:
In addition to coordination with the line Contingency plan was prepared according to the departments, the DDMA, Chirang also new SOP coordinated with Gaon Burahs / Community Frequent meetings were organized with the leaders/ religious leaders in generating mass concerned line departments awareness amongst common people Telephonic communication was maintained
Challenges 7. Darrang:
Delay in information dissemination due to network Use of Information Technology in all the
issue in the remote areas approachable ground for arrangement of co-
Insufficient man power and resources
69 | P a g e
ordination mechanism from PRI / GB Level to and distribution of relief items in flood affected
District Administration / Police Administration. communities
Formation of whatsapp group for prompt reporting 9. Dhubri: of any unwanted damages / immediate repair Apart from the COVID-19 duties every department restoration etc., co-ordination with all concerned has put forward their hands to mitigate the flood with District Administration / Police Administration. situation
8. Dhemaji: The Education department, Health Department,
Establishment of Joint Control Room (24x7) P&RD Department, Police department were
deploying staff from DEOC, Health Department, directly involved in GR distribution and Relief
Police etc. for smooth co-ordinations information camp management in collaboration with the Civil
in between line departments and other agencies Administration.
Formation of Nodal Officer team from every Govt. Challenges:
line departments for smooth coordination and During lockdown period the department officials
timely management of flood situations were unable to reach to a place of emergency in
Formation of Vulnerable Pockets Management proper time during flood occurrence
Committees including local people, social 10. Dibrugarh:
workers, VDP members, VLMCC members and Departments like Veterinary & AH, Health, Public Pratirodhi Bandhu Volunteers and collection of Health Engineering were sent to the flood affected their contact numbers for coordination in flood areas as a team as their nature of work is similar vulnerable areas for smooth management flood 11. Goalpara: situations
Formation of Relief Distribution and Monitoring As Flood occurred in 2020 amidst COVID-19
Committees including PRI members, Camp In- pandemic, it was a great challenge for the district
charge, Lot Mondals, Gaon Burhas, VDP administration to control the spread of COVID-19
personnel and leading Citizen and collection of especially in the relief camps. As such following
their contact numbers for smooth co-ordination measures were undertaken to control the spread of
COVID-19.
70 | P a g e
Distribution of Hand Sanitizers in sufficient numbers Field level visits and follow up done to ensure
to the camp inmates smooth management of the Relief camps, rescue
In order to generate awareness, the Circle Level and relief operations.
Monitoring Committee was specially asked to 13. Hojai: deliver speech about health and hygiene before the Distribution of Mask/ Sanitizers/ IEC materials in camp inmates Relief Camps in coordination with Health The regular health check-up of camp inmates was Department done in co-ordination with health department. Organized Health Camp in Relief camps Proper sanitization of relief camps was done on Daily follow up of surveillance team to the Home regular basis in co-ordination with the PHE Quarantine persons department.
No major problem was found in management of 14. Kamrup:
flood Proper coordination between the line
departments. led to proper management, however 12. Golaghat: at times availability of insufficient no. of boats with The DDMA, Golaghat had coordination meeting the SDRF poses a concern during the emergency with all Heads of Department for smooth situations management of Flood vis. a via COVID-19
The Circle level Camp in charge meetings were held 15. Kamrup(M):
to enforce the Relief camp management guideline Field Officials co-ordinated well and no such
The local Pratirodhi Bondhu Volunteers were challenge faced
trained and briefed about Relief camp 16. Karimganj: management. Co-ordinated & comprehensive approach has Whatsapp group were used to disseminate weather been planned for management of flood if occurs in forecast, Water level etc. among the Departments, the district. Field Officers, Circle level staff and volunteers for No major challenges on flood management were effective response found in the district as no flood like situation
71 | P a g e
occurred during this COVID-19 pandemic Awareness programme was done through Health
situation. and PHE Department for Dos and Don’ts at relief
camps and use of hand sanitizer as well as hand 17. Lakhimpur: washing and face mask to relief camp inmates Central Co-ordination of all activities through The Circle level Camp in charge meetings were control room (DEOC) held to enforce the Relief camp management Incident Response system activated guideline All the issues related to flood and COVID 19 taken The local Pratirodhi Bondhu Volunteers were care of simultaneously trained and briefed about Relief camp In the IRS mechanism also, the Gaon Burahs and management AAPDA MITRA volunteers are assigned roles and
trained as a first responder. Information and 19. Morigaon: command channel is well introduced to them to DDMA meeting was held in every week for better help administration in getting first-hand and efficient management of rescue operations information to the appropriate authorities in a during flood timely manner to enable early response. Report on flood shared every day in DDMA whats
18. Majuli: app group , NDRF & Army
The DDMA, Majuli had coordination meetings with Submission of daily flood report to the State
all Heads of Department for smooth management government by 2 PM becomes a challenge for
of Flood vis. a vis. COVID-19 DEOC as the circle level staff had to be busy in
Health camp setup in coordination with District relief operation at the site. Hence collecting,
Health Society for proper maintenance of COVID- compiling and sending the report to DEOC also
19 protocol. becomes difficult for them.
Child Friendly Space was a big challenge to setup Daily flood situation reported to media on daily
during the flood period in Relief Camp due to basis through DIPRO
COVID-19. Because Children are mostly affected 20. Nagaon: due to COVID-19 and also maintenance of social
distancing as per COVID protocol
72 | P a g e
No major challenges were faced in co-ordination No challenges were seen in co-ordination
mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic vis. a mechanism during flood vis. a vis. COVID-19
vis. Flood management.
Officers and staff of Agriculture, Veterinary, Social 23. Sonitpur: Welfare and field level functionaries of Municipal Efficient co-ordination is maintained with all board and Revenue Circles were engaged for Departments /Agencies through District Disaster management of Flood Management Authority, Sonitpur. Services of separate set of officials were utilized All directions were issued by the Chairman, for management of COVID-19 vis. a vis. flood DDMA.
21. Nalbari: 24. South Salmara: DDMA meeting was held in every week for better Administration co-ordination team, SDRF, Police, and efficient management of rescue operations all field workers from various line department are during flood available 24 x 7 and worked together to combat Report on flood shared every day in DDMA whats the situation in the district app group , NDRF & Army There was no such lack in coordination while Submission of daily flood report to the State managing flood relief operation government by 2 PM becomes a challenge for
DEOC as the circle level staff had to be busy in 25. Tinsukia:
relief operation at the site. Hence collecting, The NDRF, SDRF and administration worked
compiling and sending the report to DEOC also together to combat the flood and COVID-19 in the
becomes difficult for them. district
Daily flood situation reported to media on daily 26. Udalguri: basis through DIPRO No major problem found in management of flood 22. Sivasagar: vis. a vis. COVID-19.
73 | P a g e
27. West Karbi Anglong: The regular health check-up of camp inmates was
Positive response received from Gaon.Burha, Lot done in co- ordination with health department.
Mondal, Police Personnel, Health Deptt. and Proper sanitization of relief camps was done on
others participating deptts. regular basis in co-ordination with the PHE
Department. 28. Jorhat:
The meeting of CDMC and DDMA, Jorhat was No major problem was found in management of conducted regularly for smooth co-ordination flood. among the concerned departments / officials
Whatsapp groups were created at Revenue Circle
Level and District Level involving key officials of
different departments for smooth co-ordination and quick dissemination of information
29. Karbi Anglong:
All the line departments including the Revenue
Staff co-ordinated during the flood situation
30. Hailakandi :
Although no flood occurred in the district.
However, measures were undertaken to control
the spread of COVID-19 in case flood occurs.
Sufficient amount of hand sanitizers were kept in
stock.
In order to generate awareness, the Circle Level
Monitoring Committees were specially asked to
deliver speech about health & hygiene for the
camp inmates.
74 | P a g e
LESSONS LEARNT IN MANAGEMENT OF 5. Cachar:
DURING FLOOD VIS A VIS COVID-19: Relief camps should be prepared keeping in mind, 1. Baksa: certain medical emergencies which might occur in
Lack of infrastructure to deal with multiple disaster the near future as well.
at the same time Govt. Mechanism has to remain ready & prepared
throughout for any such kind of crisis 2. Barpeta:
Vulnerable groups require specific attention in 6. Chirang:
disaster management. The elderly people suffer Management of multiple disaster at the same time
more from COVID-19 than younger generations, is a big challenge
since they live in poor houses and can access little Need to build required infrastructures at some
services of WASH and waste management. Local specific locations
government should enhance disaster Extensive awareness programme for sensitization
management measures in health care facilities of people in rural areas where patients and infected persons are 7. Darrang: quarantined Identification of sufficient number of Relief Camps 3. Biswanath: considering social distancing and other basic
An effective relief distribution mechanism is to be facilities which have not been practiced in earlier
prepared in an early manner to distribute the GR flood situation
items effectively in such situation Management / mitigation of multiple disasters
simultaneously with limited human resources / 4. Bongaigaon: basic facility Increased awareness campaign should be done
and training of the villagers on management of 8. Dhemaji:
flood should be organized It is very much needed to identify large numbers
Villagers should construct / modify the houses by of Flood shelters to meet large numbers of
increasing their plinth level higher than flood level affected people in respect of flood or any
biological disaster such as COVID-19 pandemic
75 | P a g e
Establishment of Flash Flood Early Warning Need of drainage master plan to mitigate urban
System flood
It is very much needed to construct separate 11. Goalpara: multipurpose flood shelters as the District It is learnt from the present situation of COVID-19, Administration usually uses the academic that there may be emergent situation like multiple institutions which are not meant for shelter types of disaster at a time like COVID-19 and purpose Flood. So, to tackle such multiple emergent More awareness activities should be carried out situations, all the resources need to be set up in focusing Biological pandemic like COVID-19 etc. readiness. More emphasis need to be given to
make people aware about disaster 9. Dhubri: Preparation in advance and wide circulation of Basic lesson learnt during Flood vis. a vis. health standard guidelines are very useful to deal with education. There is a gap of health education in any disaster situation particularly the relief camp society management guideline for COVID-19 Identifying the reverent areas which are most 12. Golaghat: vulnerable, where people tend to cross rivers, take Keep the inventory of Resources updated baths, wash cloths and go for fishing. More
awareness programme is needed among the local Set up temporary Relief shelters like community
people about the vulnerabilities and risks of halls, Govt. Quarters, place of worship etc. which
drowning can be utilized during the crisis situation
Local people need to be trained up by NDRF and Increase strength of rescue teams for quick
SDRF on flood rescue techniques response Maintain records of additional Officers and staff 10. Dibrugarh: from various departments for deployment in Local capacities (manpower & material) should be emergency duty strengthen. There should be clearly articulated
efforts to strengthen community capacities to
cope with disasters
76 | P a g e
There should be mock drill at every level District, Prior identification of Relief Camps considering all
Sub Division, Circle and Block level for crisis the COVID-19 protocols has led to efficiency
management involving all key stake holders during the outbreak of flood
Awareness required at the affected villages Providing masks, sanitizers, hand washing
facilities etc. in the relief camps have helped in 13. Hojai: minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in the relief There should be sufficient stock of logistics, camps. adequate infrastructure, laboratory and other
medical facilities within the district 16. Kamrup (M):
Pre- identification of additional Relief camps as Resource management is the key to smooth
per population density of villages to earmark operation. If resources are in place and there is
space for social distancing good co-ordination amongst agencies than any
disaster can be mitigated effectively 14. Jorhat:
Advanced planning and infrastructure / facility 17. Karbi Anglong:
development are very crucial /important to Relief camps with sufficient space and well placed
manage this type of critical situation infrastructure are needed
Proper co-ordination among the key departments All the Government development plans and
/ officials is important to manage such critical schemes must be disaster resilient so that they
situation can withstand and function during disaster
Active participation / involvement as well as co- 18. Karimganj: operation of public/ common people is very Preparation in advance and wide circulation of important standard guidelines are very useful to deal with Active involvement of NGO's / CBO's with proper any disaster like situation particularly in relief co-ordination with district administration / DDMA camp management vis. a vis. other disasters makes it easier to manage the situation.
19. Kokrajhar: 15. Kamrup:
77 | P a g e
Need more SDRF personnel with trained divers dependent upon neighbouring districts for
for search and evacuation purpose supplies, face severe crisis.
Facilities for maintaining the health hygiene, 20. Lakhimpur: drinking water & compulsory sanitization required Local communities play a key role in fighting for relief camps in future against disasters in the front line as AAPDA Maintain records of additional officers and staff MITRA and Pratirodhi Bondhu volunteers. They from various departments for deployment in are engaged in supporting and managing emergency duty evacuation, search and rescue operation, There should be mock drill and awareness distribution of relief materials etc. Also hygiene required at the affected villages at every level like promotion and social distancing in local District, Circle and Block level for crisis communities are the most fundamental measures management involving all key stake holders in reducing transmission of COVID-19
22. Morigaon: 21. Majuli: Mobilization of SDRF is convenient then NDRF for Setting up more and more Relief shelters like the district as there is no station of NDRF in the community halls, Govt. Quarters etc. which can be district utilized during the crisis situation Involvement of teachers helped for efficient An effective relief distribution mechanism is to be distribution of flood relief materials among flood prepared in an early manner to distribute the GR affected people items effectively by maintaining social distance in DDMA, s what app group became effective for such situation sharing of information and taking immediate Maintenance of stock for relief items and medical action for response and relief operation items in an erstwhile rural district like Majuli is
another important lesson learnt. During 23. Nagaon:
emergency situations, mostly suppliers resort to Management of Relief Camps and Relief
hoarding for which district like Majuli, which is Distribution centers by maintaining COVID-19
78 | P a g e
protocol was the major challenge during Flood vis. Basic lessons learnt during Flood vis. a vis.
a vis. COVID-19. COVID-19 is that there is a gap of health
education in the society 24. Nalbari: Identifying the areas of the river where people Mobilization of Army is comparatively convenient tend to cross rivers, take baths, wash clothes and than NDRF for the district as there is no station of go for fishing and sensitize the locals about the NDRF in the district. vulnerabilities and risks of drowning Department has prepared contingency flood plan, Local people need to be trained up by NDRF and but activation of the contingency flood plan during SDRF on flood rescue techniques the time of flood is not seen
DDMA’s what app group became effective for 28. Tinsukia:
sharing of information and taking immediate Basic training to the local people of flood prone
action for response and relief operation area on search and rescue techniques with a
focus on Flood and First Aid will be helpful in near 25. Sivasagar: future Some advanced planning (Training of Relief
Camp In-charge, Identification of Relief Camps, 29. Udalguri:
Identification of personnel for flood duty etc.) Preparation in advance and wide circulation of
helped to manage flood vis. a vis. COVID-19 in standard guidelines were very useful to deal with
Sivasagar district effectively any disaster situation particularly the relief camp
management Guideline for COVID-19 26. Sonitpur:
More no. of probable relief camps needs to be 30. West Karbi Anglong:
identified It is how we response the challenges / critical
Provision for hygiene items i.e. mask, gloves, situation as positive manner. So that the
sanitizers, soaps etc. are required not only for devastating events consider as minor event.
inmates but also for the field staff engaged 31. Hailakandi:
27. South Salmara:
79 | P a g e
It is learnt from the present situation of COVID-19
that there may be emergent situation like multiple
types of disaster all at a time like COVID-19 &
Flood. So to tackle such multiple emergent
situations, all the resources need to be in
readiness. More emphasis needs to be given to
make people aware about disaster
Preparation in advance & wide circulation of
standard guidelines are very useful to deal with
any disaster situation particularly the relief camp
management guideline for COVID-19
80 | P a g e
ACTIVITIES / INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN BY committee went to be notified as the State Level
ASSAM STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT Empowered Committee (SLEC) vide notification AUTHORITY (ASDMA) AT THE STATE LEVEL dated 18th April,2020. The Chief Secretary, Govt. of IN CO-ORDINATION WITH DISTRICT Assam exercised the powers conferred under AUTHORITIES FOR CONTAINMENT OF COVID-19 IN ASSAM: Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Indian Penal Code at the State level and at the District level, the 1. A State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC) same powers were conferred to the Deputy had been constituted under the Chairmanship of Commissioners of the District. Chief Secretary, Assam which took important 2. Identification of Quarantine and Isolation decisions regarding Implementation of Lockdown Centres: measures, including other essential services and As per the directives of State Level Empowered maintenance of Law and order situation in the State. Committee (SLEC), ASDMA directed the DDMAs to
identify District wise quarantine and isolation centres.
And as per the directive, the DDMAs initially identified
121 Quarantine centres and165 isolation centres
jointly with the Joint Director Health Services.
The Committee members constituted senior level 3. Issuance of Advisories / Guidelines: bureaucrats from the State. The Committee As per directives of the High level committee chaired implemented the important orders and instructions by Chief Secretary, Govt. of Assam, the Authority issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India from prepared advisories for different sections of the time to time regarding implementation of Lockdown, society like the city dwellers, vulnerable sections of functioning of essential services, transfer of funds the society like elderly people, persons with disability, under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to the retail businesses, the urban dwellers in apartment
District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) in societies, the marginalized like domestic help etc. The order to facilitate COVID-19 response amongst many advisories were prepared in vernacular language for other guidelines issued by Govt. of India from time to greater understanding of the communities. Advisories time. The first stakeholders meeting of the committee and Standard Operating Protocols were also was held on 12th March, 2020 and later the high level developed for Persons with Disabilities, Children and
81 | P a g e
Flood Relief Camps in the context of COVID-19. domestic help and circulated amongst the people.
Guidelines were issued for operationalization of The advisories were approved at the highest level and
“Child Friendly Spaces” in Relief Camps while communicated to the public through District Disaster combating the dual challenge of COVID-19 and Management Authorities (DDMAs) and public climate related hazards. platforms.
The advisory on “Home Quarantine” prepared by 4. Development of IEC / Awareness materials:
Ministry of Health & FW, GoI was translated into Awareness materials in simplest form were vernacular language for easy understanding of public. developed as Leaflets, banners and posters for public
There were many requests received from apartment dissemination. The guidelines, advisories and IECs of dwellers, individual households and households World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of having Persons with disabilities and infants for advisory related to engagement of “Domestic Help”.
With the easing of Lockdown and partial opening of offices and establishments people had to manage both official and domestic work therefore in public interest ASDMA prepared advisory related to
82 | P a g e
Health & FW, Govt. of India were translated into Facebook page, twitter, whatsapp groups, Youtube, vernacular language and IECs were developed. The Instagram and Linkedin including E-News clips and
IECs and advisories were later transformed into social media handles of UNICEF Assam, G-Plus etc. audio-visual modes of communication for greater ASDMA partnered with UNICEF and G-Plus for understanding of the public. The ASDMA collaborated dissemination of information and IECs through with Community radio platforms for preparation of creative media. ASDMA also disseminated
“Community Videos” and facilitate risk information through newspapers, local television communication. Community Radio- Radio Luit channels like Pratidin Times, DY-365, News Live,
(Gauhati University) collaborated with ASDMA to Prag News, News 18, Assam talks etc. including prepare some short videos on “Home Quarantine Doordarshan and FM Radio Channels like RED-FM, advisories”, “Videos on sign Language for hearing All India Radio etc. ASDMA also collaborated with My impaired, Deaf & Dumb”. ASDMA also collaborated Gov, Assam, Public Relation Office of the Chief with Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ministers’ Secretariat to produce short videos and
Social Welfare Department for arranging interpreters print creatives on COVID-19 for dissemination and conversion of advisories/ SOPs for PwD into through social and various other media. braille. Radio Brahmaputra which is located in
Dibrugarh, Assam has a target audience which comprises of diverse communities having different dialects like Sadri (Tea Garden community), Bengali,
Bodo, Mishing, Rabha, Hajong, Deuri, Tiwa, Bhatiali etc. ASDMA collaborated with Radio Brahmaputra to develop audio-jingles for risk communication in
different dialects.
5. Risk Communication through Digital platforms / Media:
Assam State Disaster Management Authority
(ASDMA) disseminated the audio-visuals through different digital platforms of ASDMA like social media-
83 | P a g e
6. Digital and Print Repository of Advisories / taken by State Govt. for containment of the COVID-
Govt. of Assam and Govt. of India orders: 19 outbreak.
ASDMA constituted a “Content Management” team 7. E-Help initiative: and “Data Management & Reporting Team” to Common Services Centres Scheme (CSCs) Assam maintain and manage all advisories, circulars and and Assam State Disaster Management Authority orders related to COVID-19 in the print as well as (ASDMA) envisaged a joint strategy for reaching out digital platform. Accordingly the “Content to the vulnerable section across Assam with ICT
Management” team maintained all circulars/ lease model and cater essential services like Banking advisories and Govt. orders received at ASDMA, in services, Information dissemination, e-Pashu
COVID-19 Dashboard and Folders. A dashboard has Chikitsa, e-Awareness, e-training etc. in the wake of been prepared in the ASDMA website COVID-19. Salient features of this e-Help initiative http://sdmassam.nic.in/covid/home.html which are as follows: maintains all relevant Minutes of meetings, Circular and guidelines, Emergency contact, IEC on Do’s and
Don’ts, Details of Quarantine and Isolation Centres etc. The repository is aimed to disseminate updated information to general public regarding measures
84 | P a g e
. It is a joint venture of CSC, SPV Assam and support DDMAs in non-medical activities of COVID-
ASDMA to fight against COVID-19 19 response. Approximately 16000+ volunteers
. It is a convergence efforts of 6000+ CSCs and 33 enrolled for “Pratirodhi Bondhu” to support DDMA and
DDMAs facilitate citizen centric services. “Pratirodhi Bondhu”
. Dissemination of advisories’ and other vital s are providing psychological and emotional support information through direct and indirect modes (live to elderly and children for boosting their moral webcasting, call, SMS, WhatsApp etc.). keeping social distance as part of COVID response,
. Continuity of non-medical services for citizens promoting social distancing and hygiene, helping through telemedicine consultation/video based district administration to develop coordination, interaction. reporting and feedback mechanism through
. Health care of farmer’s livestock through e-Pashu community reach-out during lock-down and
Chikitsa (video based interaction) afterward. They have emerged as additional
. Disbursement of DBT under Garib Kalyan voluntary manpower support for non-medical
Scheme and other banking services through CSE activities at district, revenue circle and village level.
Bank Correspondence and DigiPay. They are mainly engaged in Banks, Quarantine
. Potential use of CSCs as stocking and distribution centres, public places, parking lots, market places points of essential commodities.
8. Community volunteer mobilization:
Assam State Disaster Management Authority
(ASDMA) created a cadre of volunteers in the line of
NDMA guidelines (using existing cadre of ASLRM,
NULM, Aapada Mitra, Indian Red Cross Society-ASB,
NYKS, NSS, NCC etc.). The volunteers were named as “Pratirodhi Bondhus”. Village/ ward wise volunteers from community cadres of ASRLM &
NULM along with other groups/Indian Red Cross
Society/NGOs/NSS/NCC/NYK etc. enrolled online to
85 | P a g e where they sensitize people on social distancing distribution, Awareness Generation (Door to door norms and also carry out voluntary services like visit, public miking, leaflet distribution etc.), Food poster or banner fixing related to COVID-19, Distribution, Sanitation item distribution, Psychosocial
Temperature monitoring, sanitizing offices, bank., support, sanitization programme, feeding stray
Hand sanitizing etc. animals, Shelter arrangements for migrant workers,
street & destitute etc. The State has nominated one ‘Pratirodhi Bondhu’ act as volunteers for sensitizing State Nodal Officer and District Nodal Officer in all 33 people on health & hygiene, social distancing as districts of Assam to co-ordinate with the NGO/CSOs preventive measures for containment of COVID-19. under NGO Darpan portal of Niti Aayog. At least 293 Stress has emerged as a new challenge in the time of NGOs/CSOs are co-ordinating distribution of relief to lockdowns and prohibitory orders, which has the people in association with the District Disaster seriously affected mental health of people due to Management Authorities (DDMA) s. frustration. Moreover, fear of financial insecurity has hurt people and has brought further psychological impacts on an individual and family as a whole.
9. NGO / CSO co-ordination:
ASDMA and District Disaster Management Authority
(DDMA) collaborated with NGOs/ CSOs for strengthening efforts of COVID-19. The NGO / Civil
Society Organizations have been working closely with the DDMAs to provide support in relief activities related to COVID-19. ASDMA coordinated closely with IAG Assam (an apex body of all NGOs,
International NGOs, CSOs of Assam) with 10. Co-ordination with Assam Bhawan, State representatives from Action Aid, Aid-et-Action, Disaster Management Authorities etc. in other
Piramal Health, UNICEF etc. for taking measures in States of India and support to People of Assam the districts to contain the spread of COVID-19. stranded within and outside the State:
NGOs/CSOs are actively engaged in relief
86 | P a g e
An amount of Rs.10 Lakhs was disbursed to the Indian citizens belonging to Assam, who are working
Resident Commissioners of Assam Bhawan, Delhi, or are studying in various countries abroad and are
Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai for providing initial stranded due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and are necessary support to the stranded people of Assam willing to return back to India. A total no. of 1775 in respective states. Assam State Disaster applicants have sent written request from outside the
Management Authority (ASDMA) also co-ordinated country from 24th April, 2020 till 3rd May, 2020 and with Assam Bhawan to give psycho-social support to The District Disaster Management Authorities the stranded migrants on case to case basis. The (DDMA) set up relief camps in respective Districts for people of Assam stranded in different parts of India, the migrant workers and needy people to provide other than the States mentioned above, were given settlement in respective State after consultation and co-ordination with the District Administration and
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) of the respective State.
The Authority co-ordinated to bring back dead bodies of people of Assam who died in other States due to unfortunate incidences like (suicide, heart attack etc. including other Non-COVID death cases). The
Authority also supported to send back dead body of a worker to Bihar. The Authority co-ordinated with the
Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India and High
Commissioner, Indian Embassy of Bangladesh to provide ration to 7 students from Assam stranded in
Bangladesh. The ASDMA co-ordinated with the other
State Authorities to provide support and relief to the migrated people stranded in Assam from outside the
State. As per directive issued by the Chief Secretary,
Govt. of Assam, ASDMA also collected details of the
87 | P a g e shelter, food and other basic amenities. The DDMA September, 2020 and was regularly submitted to also provided relief materials to the needy people NDMA. through mobile vans. The DDMAs collaborated with The main objective of the collected report was to keep NGO and CBOs to provide relief materials to the record of the kind of support extended by District needy people of remote areas. Administration or NGOs/CSOs or PSUs to those 11. Support Provided to Stranded Migrant people who had been stranded due to lockdown, Population and other needy persons: mainly people belonging to other states. The support
NDMA in consultation with MHA prepared a reporting was provided by giving those stranded persons with format for collection of details of support provided to shelter and food. And also there are various industries
Stranded Migrant Population and other needy where a large number of people are working as daily persons to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and wage earners and maximum of them belonged to shared the same to all states for daily reporting. other states. Due to lockdown the industries got
Accordingly all the 33 districts of Assam started shutdown the workers working in those industries got reporting on daily basis as per the format received stranded. The employers of the industries had from NDMA to the State H.Q and the same was provided food and shelter for their stranded workers submitted to NDMA and further to MHA. In this format during the lockdown period. District Administration the districts reported about the support extended by extended full support towards travel of those migrant the District Administration, NGOs and also the owner workers to their native states. of the industries including some individuals towards The format submitted to NDMA and cumulative table the stranded migrants and to the needy persons and of the data submitted is as follows: also to the workers who have been working in industries. The Districts reported information regarding accommodation and food provided to these stranded & needy people. The Data regarding stranded migrant population & needy person have been collected from 2nd April, 2020 onwards till 3rd
88 | P a g e
Name of Number of active Number of persons Number of Food Number of persons Number of Remarks / District Relief camps and housed in Relief camps given food Workers Additional shelters camps and Shelters given shelter information and food by employers/in dustry where Govt. NGO/PSU Govt. NGO/PSU Govt. NGO/PSU/ Govt. NGO/PSU/ they are /CSO /CSO CSO CSO working
District wise number of relief camps opened for migrant workers and number of migrant workers provided food/ shelter for COVID-19. (Cumulative table of information submitted to NDMA) Sl. No. District Relief Camp set up for No of migrant workers provided food/ shelter migrant workers 1 Baksa 0 0 2 Barpeta 0 212 3 Biswanath 4 202 4 Bongaigaon 4 88
5 Cachar 77 15370 6 Charaideo 1 48 7 Chirang 2 52
8 Darrang 95 (food camps) 17834 9 Dhemaji 2 23 10 Dhubri 0 0 11 Dibrugarh 0 668 12 Dima-Hasao 0 3600 (Coal mine workers at Umrangshoo) 13 Goalpara 0 40 14 Golaghat 3 126 15 Hailakandi 0 404
16 Hojai 0 0 17 Jorhat 4 188
18 Kamrup Metro 4 95 19 Kamrup 4 1680 20 Karbi Anglong (East) 2 229 21 Karbi Anglong (W) 0 0
22 Karimganj 0 5319 23 Kokrajhar 7 506 24 Lakhimpur 6 378 25 Majuli 0 95 26 Morigaon 1 2228 27 Nagaon 2 527 28 Nalbari 0 1026 29 Sivasagar 0 365 30 Sonitpur 0 705 31 South Salmara 0 253 32 Tinsukia 0 2841 33 Udalguri 2 22 Total 220 55124
89 | P a g e
12. Initiatives under Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) :
Assam State Disaster Management Authority also received items and funds under Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) during COVID-19 pandemic from the following organizations for management of
COVID-19 vis. a vis. flood emergency:
Huhtamaki Pvt. Limited, Kamrup
Apollo Hospital, Guwahati
Coal India Ltd., Kolkata
Hindustan Unilever Limited
ASDMA received masks, gloves, soaps for distribution in quarantine and relief centres and also received funds from the above organizations for management of COVID-19 vis. a vis. flood. ASDMA is also in the process of procuring river ambulances from amount received under CSR fund.
Sl. No. Organization Amount Items received
(In Rs.) (No.s)
1. Huhtamaki Pvt.
Limited, Kamrup 35032 Masks
2. Apollo Hospital, Guwahati 800000 Masks, Gloves
3. Coal India Ltd., ------
Kolkata 1000000 4. Hindustan ------
Unilever Limited Soaps (150000)
90 | P a g e
SOME GLIMPSES OF COVID-19 MANAGEMENT BY DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
Aapda Mitra Volunteers carrying dead body of Cooked Food Distribution to stranded persons by COVID-19 infected person in Cachar District Pratirodhi Bandhu volunteers in Tinisukia District
Containment Zone prohibitory orders in Hailakandi Installation of handwashing points at strategic public District places in Kamrup Metro District by DDMA
Cremation of COVID-19 infected person by District Social Distancing circles marked by District Administration in Hojai District Administration in Sonitpur District
91 | P a g e
Free Home Delivery of Vegetables and fruits in Extensive public miking of important advisories by municipal areas during lockdown by District District Administration in Nalbari District Administration in Dhubri District
Mask preparation in Hailakandi District Strict Enforcement of Home Quarantine in Sivasagar District
Sanitization of public places by personnel of Fire & Containment Zone prohibitory orders in South Emergency Services, Municipality etc. in Lakhimpur Salmara District District
92 | P a g e