The Hindu : National : Oxfam provides flood relief in Gujarat

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Friday, Jul 15, 2005

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Oxfam provides flood relief in Gujarat

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: International aid agency Oxfam is helping thousands of flood-affected families in Gujarat where torrential rain left 70 per cent of the State under water last week and destroyed or damaged thousands of houses. Baroda, Anand, Kheda and Ahmedabad are the worst-hit with contaminated water supplies posing a health hazard. Fields freshly sown with paddy and bajra have been flooded and thousands of cattle are dead or starving.

An assessment team from Oxfam travelled to these areas earlier this week to determine the extent of the damage and the level of help needed. The agency has begun providing emergency food, clean water and hygiene packs — soaps, buckets, mugs, towels and tooth powder — to 10,000 families. Shelter is being provided to 600 families.

In addition, Oxfam is working in conjunction with several non-governmental and community organisations, which are providing food, hygiene kits, basic domestic utensils and health services to affected communities. With further financial assistance from Oxfam, local organisations are also preparing to provide shelter for more than 45,000 families, establish grain and fodder banks, distribute seeds and repair dams.

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