Skip to content Skip to navigation

NEADS responds to fire tragedy among vulnerable communities in Majuli

By AT News |

On 12th December 2022, a devastating fire broke out suddenly at the village called Upper Sonowal of Majuli district in Assam, leaving a trail of destructions among the affected people. The crisis had pushed the affected into an extreme grim situation as they lost everything in the fire. The tragedy had affected vulnerable communities who are also the victims of recurrent floods and river erosions of the island.

Following a Rapid Need Assessment (RNA) at the affected community, NEADS had activated its fire tragedy response among the affected communities of the crisis-ravaged areas. With funding from Start Fund, NEADS had undertaken the humanitarian assistance among the affected peoples, where the local organization was reaching out with essentials dry rations and nutrition support for the victims for 75 days, dignity and hygiene support for women including the adolescent girls, Non-food items and shelter material targeting the worst-hit families of the village.

With this intervention, NEADS directly reached out to the affected families in the Upper Sonowal village of the district. Along with the emergency relief aid, NEADS has been making intense effort to promote community level awareness and sensitization on Public Health Preparedness (PHP) to build capacities and resilience of communities at risks to reduce the impact, also cope with and to recover from the effects of adversity.

NEADS had undertaken a range of supports which included community-based disaster risk management and crisis preparedness, educational materials and input support to school-going children, early recovery program at the family level for livelihood, restoration of shelter and NFI materials, essential dry rations and dignity & WASH kit to the families, and Cash for Work (CFW) activities among the affected families.

Tirtha Prasad Saikia, Director of NEADS, stated, "Our humanitarian response approach is always guided by people-led action and core humanitarian principles such as inclusivity, gender, protection, and community engagement. This is a moment for local organization like us to come together to save lives and share solidarity in times of crises. Henceforth, providing rapid financing to underfunded crises, spikes in chronic humanitarian crises & support in anticipation to fill the critical gap in humanitarian financing is very much significant to promote locally led action."

The NEADS intervention has brought much-needed relief to the vulnerable communities affected by the fire outbreak in Majuli. The organization's efforts to provide emergency relief aid and promote community awareness have been essential in reducing the impact of the crisis and building resilience among the affected communities. The local organization's rapid response to the tragedy has demonstrated the importance of community-led action in times of crises.

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Traditional Brandy Remedy for Cough, Cold & Congestion

Welcome, everyone! Tonight, I'm excited to introduce you to a bold, time-tested recipe — a hot and strong twist on the classic hot toddy. This drink is made with rich brandy, a kick of black pepper, the natural sweetness of honey, and steaming hot water. It's designed to warm you up from the inside out, soothe coughs and throat irritation, and help you rest easy. Perfect for chilly nights when you need something a little more powerful to feel better. Ingredients: 90 ml brandy 1 teaspoon black pepper powder 1 teaspoon natural honey Hot water (80°C), to fill the glass Method: Pour 90 ml of brandy into a heatproof glass. Add 1...

Round Table Meeting on Indigenous Land Rights Held at Naam-Phai Village, Margherita

Naam-Phai Village, Tinsukia | April 22, 2026: A round table meeting was held today among several indigenous organizations at Naam-Phai village under Margherita Sub-division of Tinsukia district to discuss the protection of land rights for indigenous Assamese communities residing in the Tirap Tribal Belt and Block. The meeting brought together members of the Indigenous Peoples of Moung-Dun-Chun-Kham (Assam, North East India), All Man-Tai Speaking Students’ Union, Tirap Autonomous District Council Demand Committee, and the Tirap Mouza Indigenous Tai-Ahom Land Rights Protection Committee. The participants unanimously decided to initiate further actions to safeguard the land rights of...

Tension Escalates Along Assam-Nagaland Border Amid Renewed Land Dispute

Despite repeated claims by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other BJP ministers that the long-standing inter-state border dispute with Nagaland has been resolved, fresh tensions have erupted along the border, particularly in the Merapani Seed Farm area under Golaghat district. Local Assamese residents continue to live in fear, alleging that the state government, administration, and police remain silent and inactive. The epicenter of the recent unrest is the Merapani Seed Farm, a 1300-acre tract of land well within Assam’s geographical territory. On 10 April, thousands of Assamese citizens rallied at Merapani, staging an intense protest demanding protection of Assamese land...

Brutal Double Murder in Bokajan’s Nambor Tea Estate: Couple Killed After Being Tied and Thrown Into Pit, Three Children Severely Injured

A shocking case of brutal violence has rocked the Nambor Nadi Tea Estate area under Borpathar Police Station in Assam’s Bokajan subdivision. An unidentified group of assailants allegedly attacked a family late last night, leaving three children grievously injured and their parents dead in a chilling act of cruelty. According to local sources, the attack took place at the home of Jullo Munda in the Munda Basti area of the tea estate. The assailants severely injured Jullo’s two daughters — Sita Munda (13) and Meera Munda (11) — as well as his 9-year-old son, Shankar Munda. In a horrifying turn of events, the attackers then abducted Jullo Munda and his wife Panchami Munda, as confirmed by...

Exploring the Budwig Protocol: A Holistic Approach to Health

Welcome to our deep dive into the Budwig Protocol, a natural dietary and lifestyle regimen that’s been sparking curiosity for decades. Developed by German biochemist Dr. Johanna Budwig in the 1950s, this protocol is often promoted as a complementary approach for cancer patients, but it’s also gained traction among those seeking overall wellness. So, what’s it all about? Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to digest, explore its core components, weigh the potential benefits and risks, and see if it’s something worth considering. What Is the Budwig Protocol? At its heart, the Budwig Protocol is a nutrition-focused plan designed to boost cellular health. Dr. Budwig, a pioneer in...

Shivsagar's Naga Village Celebrates Aoling Festival with Joy and Tradition

The Aoling festival, the traditional New Year celebration of the Ao Naga tribe, has brought vibrant energy to the Naga village of Hahchar in Shivsagar. The villagers, whose ancestors settled here during the reign of Ahom King Gadadhar Singha in 1775, continue to preserve their rich cultural heritage with great enthusiasm. The Aoling festival, observed annually in the first week of April, marks the arrival of spring and invokes blessings for a prosperous agricultural season. The festivities span several days, filled with rituals, communal feasts, and cultural performances. In the first three days, villagers engage in traditional activities such as weaving ethnic attire, collecting...

Assam Records Lowest Life Expectancy in India, Experts Advocate for Health Education Reforms

Assam has emerged as the state with the lowest life expectancy in India, averaging just 66 years, according to recent data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). This figure not only falls below the national average of approximately 69 years but also trails behind other Northeastern states, with neighboring Nagaland boasting a life expectancy exceeding 75 years. Health experts attribute Assam's lagging life expectancy to a combination of factors, including air pollution, poor dietary habits, high blood pressure, smoking, and environmental hazards. Dr. Rahul Mehra, UNESCO Chair Representative for Global Health and Education, emphasized the urgency of integrating health education...

Memorial Meeting Held in Nazira to Honor Educationist Aboni Borthakur

Nazira paid tribute to the late Aboni Borthakur, a distinguished educationist and former Principal of Nazira College, with a memorial meeting held on Sunday. The event, organized at the Nazira M.C. Club, was presided over by Atul Gogoi, a former Principal of another college. The gathering saw the presence of several notable figures, including retired professor Dr. Provat Borah, renowned writer Juri Borah Borgohain, Nazira MLA Debabrata Saikia, and CPI leader Kanak Gogoi, among others. The speakers reflected on Borthakur’s contributions to education and society, celebrating his legacy as a thinker and academician. A highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of a memorial book that...

Guwahati’s Historic Mahafezkhana Demolished, Sparking Outrage Over Heritage Loss

The demolition of Mahafezkhana, Assam’s oldest surviving concrete structure and a vital piece of Northeast India’s architectural heritage, has triggered widespread outrage. Built between 1855 and 1865, the 160-year-old building—once a custodian of crucial land records during British colonial rule—was razed by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) as part of a park extension and Brahmaputra riverfront beautification project, according to reports published on Sunday. Senior journalist Mrinal Talukdar expressed his dismay on X, describing the demolition as “not just demolition—this is desecration.” In a series of posts, including one at 2:30 AM IST on March 30 (Post ID:...

Numaligarh Refinery Pollutes Dhansiri River, Threatens Ecosystem: Janani Live Reports

The Dhansiri River, a vital tributary of the Brahmaputra, is facing severe pollution due to industrial discharge from the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), as reported by Janani Live, a local news portal from Golaghat. The contamination has raised alarms among environmentalists and local communities dependent on the river for irrigation and drinking water. Growing Pollution Crisis:According to Janani Live, untreated effluents from the refinery have been flowing into the Dhansiri, increasing chemical toxicity and degrading water quality. The river, which originates in Nagaland and flows through Golaghat and Dimapur, is already burdened by urban sewage, agricultural runoff, and sand...