Loss of shelter, sanitation and sources of income are the biggest problems facing survivors of the worst floods in southern India in 100 years, says Sushant Agrawal, director of an ACT International member in India.

After surviving the floodwaters, people now face the second battle of threats to their health and wellbeing. “The most important thing now is shelter,” says Sushant Agrawal, who is also ACT International moderator. “Houses are very badly damaged, especially those in the most remote areas which are made of stone, mud and banana leaves. Everything is gone.”

The second major problem is the loss of livelihood for thousands of people as standing crops have all been washed away. “In most of these areas, the crops are cash crops like sunflowers. Now that both the owners and the labourers are out of work, there could be large-scale migration in search of livelihood.” He also fears for the health of people living in the camps. Poor sanitation and stagnated water can increase the risk of disease spreading.

Three million people were affected by the floods in the two states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Relief camps set up by the Government now number 2015. A total of 1.3 million people have set up temporary shelter in these camps.

While the waters in have rece-ded, they also reveal extensive property damage. When the Krishna River started rising, the 75 families that make up the inland fishing hamlet of Ferry, in Andhra Pradesh, had to scramble into small boats with some of their possessions. However they were unable to take all their important belongings and have lost house-hold articles like cooking vessels, plastic chairs or televisions. Also lost were children’s books and ration cards. The river swelled and flooded their houses. Around 9pm, the Krishna River had flooded the whole village.

For five days, the people had to stay in the boats. It was only two days ago that the flood waters started receding and they could attempt to collect food supplied by Government and aid agencies. Their huts made of mud walls and thatched roofs were severely damaged.

In addition to losing property, the people have lost about 15 days of income as they cannot go fishing for the next 10 days. They are now managing themselves with whatever external support is offered to them and have started cleaning up the village and houses wherever possible. But still a number of houses remain under water.

ACT International has issued a $1.49 million appeal for relief efforts of between two and three months which will help 41,000 families. The response will include cooked meals, dry food rations, clothes, temporary shelter and materials for house repair.

Sushant Agrawal said that ACT International’s advantage in emergencies was that member churches were already present in affected areas and could be called upon quickly. “Immediately after the floods hit, I was able to contact most bishops and church leaders. Even before staff could get there, we released emergency funds to provide food relief.”

In addition, volunteers trained by ACT International in rescue techniques saved the lives of 17 people in one area of Andhra Pradesh. “This shows the immediate impact of our work. These people were equipped with ropes and life saving jackets, and trained by Civil Defence people.”

ACT International is working in camps for people forced from their homes, cooking and distributing three meals a day, which include rice, lentils and vegetables. “Yesterday, a woman who had gone several days without food received one of the meals we had been distributing. For the last three or four days no-one there had been able to take care of her. So she was very happy to have been part of the feeding programme. She was so very thankful to have had a good meal.” It was her first proper meal since October 2.

ACT International members in India providing relief in south India are: Churches’ Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) Lutheran World Service India United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India