Majuli: In the wake of a devastating storm that wreaked havoc on 20th April, 2023 in Majuli island of Assam, North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), a local humanitarian organisation has sprung into action, initiating a humanitarian relief and rehabilitation programme to assist the affected communities in their time of need.
The massive storm, which struck the island with unrelenting force, caused widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods, leaving hundreds of families grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. With access to basic necessities and essential services severely compromised, the affected communities faced numerous challenges on the path to recovery.
Responding to the urgent humanitarian crisis, NEADS promptly mobilized necessary support to assess the situation on the ground and strategize an effective response plan. With funding support from Start Fund, the relief and rehabilitation programme designed by NEADS aims to address the immediate needs of the affected communities and facilitate their recovery and rebuilding process. The key components of the initiative included distribution of essential relief items, including food and nutrition, transitional shelter materials, non-food items and hygiene support to families impacted by the disaster. Transitional shelters are being set up to accommodate those who lost their homes during the storm's onslaught. Along with the emergency relief aid, NEADS has been making intense effort to promote community level awareness and sensitization on public health preparedness 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 formulated a comprehensive plan to help affected families restore their livelihoods. It also included a range of supports such as educational materials and input support to school-going children, early recovery program at the family level for livelihood and Cash for Work (CFW) activities among the affected families. NEADS organized workshops and awareness campaigns on disaster preparedness and risk reduction to empower communities to be better prepared for future emergencies.
Tirtha Prasad Saikia, Director of NEADS expressed their organisational commitment in assisting the affected communities in the time of need. He stated ‘Our mission is to provide effective disaster response, rehabilitation and resilience building initiatives to vulnerable communities, also to promote locally-led action. We envision a community where people are empowered to withstand and recover from the impact of crisis, ensuring a safer, more sustainable future for all.’
The humanitarian initiative by NEADS has garnered widespread support from local authorities and the affected communities in the ground.
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