OVER 1,100 FAMILIES HELPED
IN WORST FLOOD-HIT AREAS

Volunteers Help from Saving Lives
to Setting Up Temporary Sheltering

09.16.2004
Gujarat, INDIA

Overview

• Over 1,100 families helped in Pavi Jetpur & Kavant Districts
• 5,000 emergency relief packs distributed
• More than 6,000 items of clothing distributed
• Emergency plastic sheeting provided for temporary shelters
  

This year's unprecedented monsoon rainfall resulted in overflowing dams and rivers flooding large areas of the southern regions of Gujarat. Huts and homes were almost all but washed away leaving thousands of families homeless. With the widespread disruption and devastation, the death toll of domestic animals was also considerable, but thankfully very few human lives were lost.

BAPS volunteers immediately moved into action bringing stranded people to safety and saving several lives – at times risking their own.

Intitial efforts in the worst-hit areas of Pavi Jetpur and Kavant (near Vadodara) began with emergency relief supplies of food and basic amenities. In all, over 5,000 packets of high-energy food were distributed.

Fear of outbreaks of cholera and other diseases prompted the BAPS medical wing to send in a trained team of doctors and medical staff. A mobile medical van helped provide much-need treatment and medicines to victims suffering from injuries and illnesses.

As reports came in of the exact extent of damage, a more orchestrated relief operation took shape to help the victims return to normalcy.

BAPS helped by distributing over 6,000 items of clothing for men, women and children. Further, basic home supplies such as grains and stoves were also supplied. And until homes were rebuilt, 12’ x 12’ plastic sheets served as temporary shelter against the ongoing rains. Volunteers even helped to set up the new homes.