Uttar Dinajpur A Rapid Emergency Needs Assessment

State Inter Agency Group – 16 – 17 April 2010

United for Humanitarian Response On the night of 13 April Tornado started in Forbesganj area of , hit Purnea and Araria districts in Bihar, and five blocks of of West Bengal at 0.00 hrs of 14th April’2010. This killed 43 people and created massive devastation to the livelihoods of nearly a million population. Roughly the loss was estimated at 133 crores. There was no such forecasting or announcement from the meterological department. The wind speed was around 125 Km/ hrs. Out of nine blocks four were badly affected and one block was affected partly.

A 10 members team of IAG - West Bengal visited the district with the objective to have a quick rapid assessment to understand the humanitarian response required situation in the affected areas, including the analysis of existing support and determining other felt needs & priorities of the areas where IAG may intervene to meet up the humanitarian needs. The team divided into two groups and visited all 5 blocks and several Gram Panchayets and Villages. They interacted with the community people, GP Pradhans, Sabhapati, BDOs and other block officials, as well as district Administration, District Program Officer (ICDS) and Chief Medical Officer of Health.

For the Terms of Reference of the team, kindly find: Appendix 1: Terms of Reference for ENA – Uttar Dinajpur, Tornado, April 2010

KEY FINDINGS

 According to government sources in the district: a. So far 43 deaths have been reported including 23 women and 15 children. In block alone accounted for 19 deaths. (Find attached file Appendix 2: Death Report) b. 114400 houses were fully damaged and 94140 houses partly damaged. Around 900000 people affected in 851 villages of 5 blocks. (Find Table - 1 for Affected people) c. Roughly estimated damage to livestock/ livelihood Rs 133 cores. These reports need to be corroborated with reports to be received from the Disaster Management Department, GoWB.  People are trying to repair the houses with locally available materials such as straw and bamboo.  Food insecurity is high, as this is both a lean season for work, and people are busy repairing the houses.  Although there is a huge report of loss of livestock like cows, piggery, goats, and chicken, but the only available estimates are from REWA which is available on page 10  Physical Injuries like bruises, Fracture, wounds are being treated locally, specially in the block hospitals and rural health centers.  Some cases of suspected measles that had appeared in the first week of April were investigated by NPSP. Results are awaited. They are from 1 block.  Standing crop like maize that was full ripe for harvest has damaged 90% and there is a loss of 60-70% of household stored grain; besides this, due to lack of electricity (since fields are irrigated with shallow connections in many parts of these blocks), irrigation is affected, and boro crop of rice could be hit.

2  In Baje Bindol of Bindole GP, block 26 families were found to be spending the night in a school room. Normally, people are sleeping either in the temporary shelter on the place of their original house, or in a neighbor’s home.  The water table is high with shallow hand pumps available in abundance. As there was no water logging in the affected areas no infiltration has taken place hence contamination other than the existing one is not seen, though the sanitary surveillance indicates that there is high risk of contamination as most of the tubewells don’t have an apron.  There has been No major displacement & hence the Excreta disposal does not seem to possess an immediate threat, though with one or two showers the situation can take dramatic turn.  Govt started sending relief materials to the Block /Panchayat head quarters for distribution ( though at present the quantity is inadequate) black plastic sheet ( one pcs per family) but there is no distribution planning ( in the sense of targeting, no of distribution points , color of plastic sheet )  Flat rice ( 50 gm) ,rice( 1kg) has been distributed by the govt but the quantity is less and not all the families are been covered under food distribution  NRHM fund ( GKS ) are utilised for providing primary treatment support to needy patient  There is adequate number of private hand pumps are in the villages ( 50/60 ft deep)  Though the practice of open defecation is common, people maintain distance.  PRI members are playing proactive role in relief distribution.  There is a huge loss of loss of utensils, household materials, specially to the poor who have lost their homes and basic assets.  Anganwadi centers not able to function regularly, as most of the homes of AWWs are destroyed, and some of the houses in which AWC were functioning have got destroyed.  Schools in the affected blocks are closed. There is an unconfirmed report of about 100 schools having some damages or the other, specially, damage to roof. Four health sub centers are also razed down.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS :

The rapid needs assessment team recommends the following:

Immediate Action Points:-  Immediate need for two weeks of food support to the affected population.  First Aid Box to be placed as depot system in all the AWC in most affected areas with the support of PRI & Health  Mobile medical services with follow up at doorstep by health personnel for injured persons and if required referred to hospital.  Clothes for children, teenage girls and women of most affected villages  Supply of cooking utensils and water storage containers.  Since there is no internal displacement, and the weather is warmer, the role of tarpaulins is limited. Hence, resources may be provided for inexpensive housing materials.  Advocate for functioning of all AWCs & health sub-centers as an essential service irrespective of holidays  Advocate for immediate implementation of works under NREGS and release of fund to fulfill cash requirements in families and to avoid distress sale or mortgage of assets.

3  Need for district level coordination of relief operation and NGOs working in the district. So, appoint a person to coordinate the NGO efforts at the district level at least for three months.  Advocate with electricity department for more man-power to ensure quicker restoration of supply in villages, to ensure continued irrigation.  Support damaged 100 schools with “School In a Box”

Long Term Action Points:-

• Further assessment of Livelihood & livestock damages for early recovery of livelihood options. • Support to farmers by providing seeds and fertilizers • Financial support for restoration of livelihood (small business, cycle vans, tea shops, poultry, cattle etc.) • A comprehensive action plan in collaboration with DMD on community based disaster risk reduction with the involvement of ICDS, Health, PRI, other line departments, and humanitarian organizations of the district is needed

SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS BY THE TEAM :

o Water Supply & electricity being restored on priority by the Government o Major Intervention may not be required for Water & Sanitation but prepositioning of Cl2 Tablets & bleaching powder can be thought about o PRI has been very active from the date of disaster o There has been no outbreaks of Diarrhea or any other infectious disease reported after the tornado o Distribution of relief materials by government through Panchayat is speeding up o Major Support will be needed for restoration, Rehabilitation , Disaster Risk Reduction & livelihood o Regular Monitoring of weather & the emerging situation should be undertaken o Advocacy on Shelter Construction, Wind Proof Shelter Construction, Hygiene Promotion, & PRI Capacity building on Govt Schemes & emergency response o Monitoring of Anganwadi functioning & Food stock o Regular collection of Disease surveillance reports on weekly basis

4 BASE LINE DATA & CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRISIS : As per District administration report made available, total death toll was 42 as of 16th April’2010. 114400 houses were fully damaged and 94140 houses partly damaged. Around 900000 people are affected in 851 villages. These villages are spread across Karandighi, Raiganj, , Kaliyagnaj mainly, and in Goalpukhar II and . A huge number of trees have fallen down and fruits trees like Mango, Jackfruits, Lichi, Banana, Papaya, vegetables and other cash crops are damaged very badly. Huge number of electric poles of all these blocks have collapsed and telephone connections are in disorder, although it is getting restored in town areas. During the time of disaster, agriculture fields were full of maize crop which is badly damaged; and boro crop of paddy has also been seriously affected, because 90% fields depend on shallow-tubewell irrigation which depends on electricity. Nobody gave assurance on how long it will take to bring the normal condition of electrical supply. No assessment has been made so far on livelihood damages.

During the assessment period (16 – 17 April 2010) the team found lots of people injured. (Kindly find Appendix 3 - Health Status Report for further information). They received first aid from the hospital but no follow up mechanism was noticed by the team. At present, there is no such public health problem or out break of disease has occurred, although the threat remains, specially if there is any rain.

The district administration has given an order to keep open and functional all anganwadi centers (AWCs) on an emergency basis in order to ensure continuous SNP services for most vulnerable population i.e. children under 5 years and pregnant and lactating mothers. Unfortunately this instruction has not reached to anganwadi workers (AWWs) as well as PRI who can take a lead role to provide support to AWWs, because a huge number houses in which AWCs are located also have got damaged. The assessment team has not found any systematic joint plan of action between district Health & ICDS during this type of crisis period. This could be one of the major intervention areas of district disaster management cell.

Number and status of affected people:- Table 1 As per latest report of district emergency control room the following is the status of the damage: Name of the Population Population Total Male Female Minor House House Ranking Blocks affected Death age fully partly status as damaged damaged per affected situation Karandighi 3,18.881 Total 19 8 11 8 90 % 1 population house affected damaged Raiganj 3,62,056 12 5 7 3 2 Hemtabad 1,18,822 4 1 3 2 3 1,90,019 3 3 0 1 4 Goalpokhar- 2,26,231 Partial 2 0 2 1 5 II Total 40 17 23 15 114400 94140

5 PROCESS ADOPTED FOR THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT :

 Field visit  Focus Group Discussion  Meeting with block and dist administration  Meeting with PRI  Meeting with other humanitarian agencies

List of villages team visited Block Village Team members Raiganj Mahipur, Balaigaon, Shekhar, Mamata, Noel, Paschimapada,Baje Bindol, Father Herman, Mission pada. Panishala Satyaswar, Hemtabad Kashimpur, Mandipada, Rahul, Noel, Mamata, Hemtabad, , Satyaswar, Anand Khati, Karandighi Damdama, Nichamari, Rahul, Dr Prabir, Bapi, Karandhigi, Sultanpur, Noel, Anand, Simon, Kamath, Mamata, Shekhar, Neeta, Jhumma Kaliaganj Bochadanga GP, Dakshin Dr Prabir, Satyehswar Bhabanipur, Goalpokhar II (Chakulia) Bidyanandapur GP, Rahul, Dr Prabir, Bapi, Samaspur Noel, Anand, Simon

Stakeholders Interacted

Government PRI Non Government 1) DM 1) Saha Sabadhipati 1) Social Welfare Institute 2) ADM 2) Sabhapati 2) St John Ambulance 3) CMO 3) Village Pradhan 3) DS Community Health 4) DPO 4) Member Center, Bolaigaon, 5) BDO, Joint BDO Mahipur G.P 6) BMOH 4) Nichamari Mission 7) PHED

6 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS :

See page 9 for Table 2 on Extent of Damage

Shelter and Displacement :-

41 families of Baje bindol of Bindol Panchayat of Raiganj Block displaced and took shelter in the nearby school.

At present no mass displacement has been observed. People either live in the damaged houses (using whatever can be utilized, like fallen roof or wall material of bamboo / straw) or in temporary shelters, which they have made. The government has announced one plastic sheet per family. And the panchayats are distributing them. However, since these sheets are thin, and the weather is very hot, the families are not using them, except those in severe distress.

Access, Security & Threats :- All bus route/ village roads have been cleared by removing of the debris and communication situation has improved by Day 3. Electricity supply lines have been repaired on war footing in District town, block town and areas and pipe water supply has started in these areas. But in the rural areas situation of power supply remains discontinued and no one knows when the situation will improve, because plenty of poles have either fallen or broken and high tension lines are damaged. Since the agricultural fields that have boro crop of paddy depend on electrical pumps (locally known as shallow connections) for irrigation, many days without electricity can put the crop under threat.

The victims are under a threatening condition as they are living under open sky with whatever livestock remains with them; they try to protect the livestock and their belongings, while attempting to rebuild their shelters as soon as possible. They have another unknown threat of further cyclone or rain. It has been reported that relief materials have been looted in Karandighi and Hemtabad blocks. People were agitated due to insufficient responses of government relief materials. People blocked the bus route and demanding immediate sufficient relief to rebuild their shelters.

Health & Nutrition:- At present no such severe situation has risen in terms of public health or outbreak of diseases in the area. Injured persons have received emergency primary treatment from health centers or hospitals but no follow up has been made by ANM or any health personal. This is required because, the injured need to go with another person to the hospital. But due to safety of things back at the ruins of their homes, and the demand to rebuild the houses, after the primary first aid or medical attention, many injured persons never visit the health center. No emergency health plan was visible at the field level. This is a area, IAG can play a big role to sensitize the health department on emergency health preparedness.

Find report on Health Status as of 16 April 2010. Appendix 3: Health Status Report Under weight (56%), anaemia, and other deficiency diseases are common in the areas. At present no such nutritional problem is visible, but in future there may be some problem if some immediate response mechanisms are not adopted by the ICDS, Health and PRI. Since crops,

7 fruits, vegetables and other livelihoods are affected severely there is an implication in long term on nutrition levels among women and children in the area. No such comprehensive joint action plan of ICDS & Health department was noticed in the field level, block level and in district level to combat the situation. DPO (ICDS) passed on an instruction to the CDPOs for non stop functioning of AWCs but no follow up and monitoring system exists in this emergency period. As a result, community, PRI, and field workers (AWWs) are not aware about the decision taken at the district level.

Gender: Out of 42 deaths reported so far, 23 are women; this includes one pregnant lady at Karandighi block. Many areas in the affected blocks are well known for human trafficking.

Water & Sanitation:- Water: The water table is high with shallow hand pumps available in abundance. As there was no water logging in the affected areas no infiltration has taken place hence contamination other than the existing one is not seen though the sanitary surveillance indicates that there is high risk of contamination as most of the tubewells don’t have an apron.

Sanitation: There has been No major displacement and hence the excreta disposal does not seem to possess an immediate threat, though with one or two showers the situation can take dramatic turn. The people commonly practice open defecation. However, this is normally away from the villages, and the hot weather and sandy soil reduce the possibility of infections.

Child Protection:-. Karandighi and Raiganj blocks are well known for human trafficking. Karandighi also has the maximum number of child laborers in the district; these children are mainly involved in beedi making industry and in road side dhabas. A distress situation in livelihood can increase the pressure on family, and more children, specially girl children may give up studies and take to labour, to support the family. Schools remaining closed can be an indirect inducement.

Education:- About 100 Schools are damaged. This calls for immediate repair of these schools and restarting classes. It is certain that many children must have lost their books and educational materials in the melee. This needs to be verified, and such educational materials need to be replaced. Although it may be easier for primary schools, replacing of books and writing materials of the high school children need to be taken into consideration, and the lost books and writing materials must be carefully replaced.

Interventions:- St John Ambulance Association is rendering their emergency mobile medical services in Raiganj block with a team of medical unit. They distributed one torch light per family to about 5000 families as per the request of district administration.

8 Government has supported the following to affected families:

Type of Support Quantity Received Food 1-2 Kg Rice / Family 200-800 Gms Chura/ Family Non Food Item Plastic sheet for temporary shelter Medicine OPD service, First Aid and hospital facility in four BPHCs and District Hospital Drinking water Fifty water tankers are been engaged in the municipality

Logistics & operation:- At present weather is normal but people are afraid of further storm and rain. Government has started relief distribution in all affected areas phase wise with distribution of tarpaulin (plastic sheets), rice and flattened rice (Chura) and molasses (Gur). But the situation is alarming because materials are insufficient as per need, specially because (i) this is a lean season for work, and the families do not have job at this time of the year; (ii) the men are at home, repairing or rebuilding the house; (iii) there are injured / sick / child or old persons in these homes. For example in Mohipur GP of Raiganj block, the panchayat received 300 pieces of Tarpaulins, 3900kg of rice, 600 Kg of flattened rice, and 240 Kg of molasses for the 4500 affected families, as per report of Upa–Pradhan on 15th April, at 12-00 hrs. The GP has prepared a Traan Committee with the 17 members of the panchayat including women members participating in the meetings; decisions are recorded in the register along with signature from all the members.

All fallen trees and debris have been cleared. Transport facilities have resumed. The government relief materials are shifted from block office to gram panchayats by tractors, cycle vans, truck etc Telecommunication services are gradually improving in the areas. Banking services are in normal condition, although ATM facilities have some problem.

Community coping mechanism

 Majority of the community has started building the houses with locally available resources such as straw, bamboo and other reusable items from the broken houses.  Affected communities are being supported by the host families

Plan of other agencies  Catholic Relief Services has initiated a process to support Mahipur of Raiganj Block. CRS also has set aside Rs. 200,000, and Tarpaulin - 3000, Plastic Mats - 8000, hygiene kits containing soaps, antiseptic liquid and sanitary cloth for 3000 families and buckets – 6000  CASA has a plan to support 5000 families in Uttar Dinajpur, depending on availability of resources. The location is yet to be finalized.

Find in the next page: Table 2 : Extent of Damage

9 Affected Blocks 1. Karandighi 2. Hemtabad 3.Kaliyaganj 4. Raiganj 5. Goalpukhar II Remarks

Affected Worst Worst Moderate worst Moderate

IDPs (Internally None None None 41 Families None Tribal family displaced persons) Taking Shelters in nearby schools

Livestock lost No data No data No data No Data No Data

Household size 4- 5 person 4- 5 person 4- 5 person 4-5 Person 4-5 Person

Amount of food lost No data No data No data No Data No Data

Amount paddy field 90% of maize 90% 90% 90% 90% / other crops lost Rice not affected Rice not affected Rice not affected Rice not affected Rice not affected

Road Connectivity Good Good Good Good Good All Roads are intact

Main Income Small Scale agriculture & Small Scale - Small Scale Bamboo work & Small No data Migration among activities seasonal labour, Migrant agriculture & agriculture & Scale agriculture & the young is Labour seasonal labour, seasonal labour, seasonal labour, rampant. Migrant Labour Migrant Labour Migrant Labour

Livestock lost 500 cows, 400 goats, 400 8 cows, 7 – 8 goats, 1 cow, 24 goats, Cows 50, chicken No Data Livestock loss chickens, ducks 100 about 50 chickens 50 chickens & Missing 400 – 500; reported but no (according to REWA)* (REWA) 20 ducks missing goats 50 – 60; ducks: assessment done. 100 missing

* REWA = Raiganj Environment and Wildlife Association Conclusion: The team thanks all the State Inter Agency Group – West Bengal members for confiding in the capacity of the team, and for supporting and organizing the travels and stay. Although perceptions can vary, the team has pieced together whatever is of essence and requires humanitarian attention. Although the tornado came without a warning, it has been a moving experience for the rapid needs assessment team members to see how most families have the resilient power to overcome such tragedy. However, it must be admitted that there are other undercurrents, such as, negative coping mechanisms of sale or mortgage of life saving assets or livelihood ensuring properties, distress migration, dropping of education etc. Assistance to quicker recovery can avert such humanitarian tragedies in the long term.

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