It is now more than 3 weeks since the largest floods in 35 years devastated large areas of Varanasi. The floodwaters have receded and most people have been able to return to their homes. Homes that they are now repairing, restocking and refurnishing, but they are their homes, a place where they can begin to rebuild their lives. At the same time the flood relief work is continuing, assisting those too poor to assist themselves, or where the damage is too great or the floodwaters have yet to clear.
Sai Maa Vishnu Shakti Trust and ASMITA continue to assist the poor in the areas affected by the floods by providing supplies to assist these people to reestablish their lives. Each day for the past 2 weeks Sai Maa Vishnu Shakti Trust and ASMITA volunteers have offered medical aid, packed food supplies, and distributed them to families. On some days we drive to a central location in the communities being served to distribute the supplies. When the communities are closer, the families come to ASMITA and distributions are done at the same time as the packing.
Mostly it is the women or children who arrive to collect the supplies or attend the medical camps. The men are now out looking for work during the day. Many are day laborers and their work opportunities have dissolved in the aftermath of the floods, adding to their family’s struggle. Varanasi is famous for its silk weaving and cloths, but many of the looms were destroyed by the floodwaters, and must be repaired before work is again available. Inundated farmlands mean farming jobs are not available till the farms recover. Other employers can no longer afford to take on staff as they focus on rebuilding their business.
Mostly it is the women or children who arrive to collect the supplies or attend the medical camps. The men are now out looking for work during the day. Many are day laborers and their work opportunities have dissolved in the aftermath of the floods, adding to their family’s struggle. Varanasi is famous for its silk weaving and cloths, but many of the looms were destroyed by the floodwaters, and must be repaired before work is again available. Inundated farmlands mean farming jobs are not available till the farms recover. Other employers can no longer afford to take on staff as they focus on rebuilding their business.
The women waiting to receive supplies sit patiently, some talking but most just sitting on their haunches silently. Many look tired, some seemingly sad and distant. Children play and run around, inquisitively looking into the rooms where the food is stacked, watching the bags being filled and checking as each family receives their items. The volunteers filling the bags rush animatedly between assisting the families to receive their supplies, and creating the bags to supply to them. We are in the storerooms – weighing potatoes, scooping flour, rice and lentils into the bags to be distributed. Outside the list of names is checked to ensure that the items are received by those most in need.
One of the children, a small boy of maybe 3 or 4, arrives and his eyes and cheeks are severely infected, one eye almost closed with the swelling. He did not see the doctor when the medical camp was in his area. His mother did not know it was a serious problem. As the doctors are not available at the time, the nurse arranges to get the required prescription so that this beautiful boy can be treated. The medical camps also continue offering basic consultations and free medical to those requiring assistance.
Next week we will continue to provide ongoing assistance through food and medical supplies. Although the floodwaters have receded some low-lying areas are still sitting in the stagnant water, the water unable to drain. Here the government is now arranging to have the water pumped out, but, till this happens, life remains difficult in these areas. At the same time we have begun planning the possibilities to assist these poorest of communities to rebuild housing, and to supply other essentials so they can reestablish themselves. All this support to these communities in need is only made possible through the generosity of the global Sai Maa Community.
One of the children, a small boy of maybe 3 or 4, arrives and his eyes and cheeks are severely infected, one eye almost closed with the swelling. He did not see the doctor when the medical camp was in his area. His mother did not know it was a serious problem. As the doctors are not available at the time, the nurse arranges to get the required prescription so that this beautiful boy can be treated. The medical camps also continue offering basic consultations and free medical to those requiring assistance.
Next week we will continue to provide ongoing assistance through food and medical supplies. Although the floodwaters have receded some low-lying areas are still sitting in the stagnant water, the water unable to drain. Here the government is now arranging to have the water pumped out, but, till this happens, life remains difficult in these areas. At the same time we have begun planning the possibilities to assist these poorest of communities to rebuild housing, and to supply other essentials so they can reestablish themselves. All this support to these communities in need is only made possible through the generosity of the global Sai Maa Community.
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