By TCN News,
Dehuradun: Pahal, a Dehradun based NGO, distributed more than 200 disaster relief kits in the far-flung areas of Kumaon. The relief work was undertaken to cover Khajurani, Talla Gazar, Malla Gazar, Pakhakarik, Kaula, Puniabagad, and Kheera in Almora district.
The affected area spans to about 50 kms and are situated in the remote corners on Chamoli and Bageshwar districts. The block headquarters of Chaukhutia and district headquarters are as far as 35-125 kms from these villages.
Most of the important roads and bridges which connected them with the mainstream are broken due to heavy rains and cloud-burst. The PDS ration is not reaching people who need it. These geographical factors made this part of Uttarakhand quite neglected in terms of flood relief activities and support.
Since June, Pahal had been co-ordinating with organisations gather support and relief material for the affected areas. Communication about the requirements and making the outside world aware about the calamity had been the top priority for their staff. Pahal has partnered with other organisations to get the best possible rescue and relief operation in place, developed a rapid survey and study plan for the next step.
Pahal has appealed to the like-minded organisations led to the contribution of relief material with was channelled to the beneficiaries through government agencies.
Pahal carried out its first round of flood relief in August where they collected relief material locally and corporates from Bangalore and Hyderabad. Pahal’s staff volunteered right from logistic co-ordination, storing, segregation and re-packaging to distributing it to the villagers in the remote areas of Kumaon region.
Local volunteers of organisations like Gandhi Peace Foundation, Yuva Biradari, and Rahat Manch helped get clear picture of the prevailing scenario. This information helped them plan the relief project and prioritize based on needs.
Pahal’s staff set up base camp in Chaukhutiya block and distributed more than 150 relief packs including clothes, atta, rice, sugar, spices, milk powder, salt, tea, soap etc.
On closed and muddy roads a camp was organised to distribute 75 kits in Kheeda on Aug 27th, another camp was organised the next day where 28 relief kits were distributed at a camp the next day. On 1st September another camp was organized in Godi primary school where more than 60 villagers were given relief kits.
Contact Pahal: Website-www.pahalnainital.org
Official Email – [email protected], [email protected]
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