Comfort for Hearts Broken by the Flood

2024-11-08

Emergency relief for flood victims in Assam, India

On July 12, 2024, JTS carried out emergency relief efforts in Assam, India, where numerous people were displaced due to severe flooding.

Together with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, JTS volunteers from Bhutan headed to the flood-affected area at 5:30 AM to carry out emergency relief efforts.

JTS India dispatched an emergency response team three days earlier to conduct a preliminary survey and prepare all the relief supplies. Among the flood-stricken areas in Assam, the village of Puragaon in Morigaon was in the most dire situation, having received no support from external organizations.

After an hour’s drive from Morigaon, they arrived at the village of Puragaon. Ven. Pomnyun and JTS volunteers walked around the village to survey the flood damage.

“Namaste!”

The flooded village looked as if it had always been part of the sea, with the entire area covered in water. The river’s current still remained strong and dangerous.

In three villages, 1067 households were submerged, forcing the displaced residents to leave their flooded homes. They set up temporary tents along the riverbanks to live and find shelter.

“If the riverbanks were to break, the damage would be enormous. To avoid flood damage, no one should live outside the riverbank, but because they are poor, there’s nowhere else for them to live.”

It has been over a week since the residents have been living in tents, but the water has not receded yet, and there are so many mosquitoes. The residents are pleading for mosquito nets. The government provided food aid initially, but it was only enough for four days, and now, because it is no longer raining, the government has stopped providing further assistance.

Hearing about the residents’ difficult situation, JTS quickly prepared food sets containing rice, lentils, oil, and salt, as well as formula for babies and mosquito nets. These will be distributed to the evacuees today.

To all of you who have lost so much to the flood

After inspecting the flood-affected area, Ven. Pomnyun went to the hall where the displaced residents were gathered to receive relief supplies. Before distributing the aid, Ven. Pomnyun offered comforting and encouraging words to the residents.

“It rained heavily, didn’t it? Is everyone okay? Has anyone been injured? Are there any lost animals?”

“In Assam, 16 lives were lost, but fortunately, no one here has passed away”

“I offer my condolences to all of you who have lost so much due to the sudden flood. While it may not be much, we will provide the essentials as temporary support, and I hope it will be of some help. Please maintain order and take the relief supplies one at a time.”

The distribution of relief supplies began. The day before, JTS volunteers from India had visited the village and handed out coupons in advance. After lining up in order, they first checked the coupons.

Once the JTS volunteers from India took their positions, Ven. Pomnyun began the distribution of relief supplies.

“Once order breaks down, it becomes uncontrollable. We must maintain order well. Now, let’s begin.”

As the rice sacks were unloaded from the truck, Ven. Pomnyun distributed them to the residents.

The rice sacks were heavy, causing the evacuees to stumble with each one they received, yet their faces were lit with smiles.

“Dhanyabad!” (Thank you!)In the sweltering heat and humid weather, with temperatures exceeding 35°C, carrying and moving rice sacks left everyone soaked in sweat.

Additional formula and biscuits were distributed to women with babies.

The residents carried the rice sacks on their heads or loaded them onto bicycles as they made their way to their temporary tents.

After the distribution of relief supplies was completed, the village headman expressed gratitude to Ven. Pomnyun on behalf of the Villagers.

“There was flood damage throughout Assam, but no one came to help our area. However, JTS provided assistance to us. We are truly grateful.”

Ven. Pomnyun replied.

“I would love to help with the distribution all day, but I must move on to Silchar today. Please make sure the supplies are distributed until the very end.”

The JTS emergency response team and the village headmen were to move on to the next village to continue distributing relief supplies. Ven. Pomnyun shared several guidelines on how to minimize confusion during the distribution in the next village.

“When distributing relief supplies, safety is always the top priority. If the distribution starts at 7 AM, supplies should only be given to those arriving before that time. Latecomers must wait outside, or else those who arrive early will complain. Also, we need to create a clear line for people to follow by using posts and boundaries. This will help everyone line up in an orderly way. It’s also important for younger villagers to help elderly women who are weak by carrying their supplies for them.

Once the initial distribution is complete, we should line up latecomers and give them their supplies. It doesn’t mean we won’t provide for those who came late, but if they keep cutting in line, it will cause confusion.

If it rains heavily or if most people are delayed, the distribution of relief supplies should be postponed by an hour or two. Once enough people have gathered, the distribution should begin. Everyone has their own circumstances, but if we consider them all, the entire system will collapse, leading to conflicts. Safety must be the top priority. Since this is a matter concerning our village, we should work together to ensure that the distribution is fair. When you go to the next village for distribution, please keep this in mind.”

“Yes, we will do that.”

“Ven. Pomnyun also gave reminders to the JTS volunteers from India.”

“Well done. However, when distributing relief supplies, there will always be people who arrive late, lose their coupons, or ask for more after already receiving their share. Our goal is to minimize such situations, but it’s impossible to avoid them completely.”

“We will keep that in mind.”

“Please continue your hard work.”

By 8 AM, the distribution of relief supplies was completed. JTS India planned to distribute aid in three villages over the course of two days, and the first village had now been taken care of. The JTS volunteers headed to the second village while Ven. Pomnyun got into the car and headed straight for Guwahati Airport. Outside the window, villages submerged by the flood continued to pass by.

* This text was edited and written based on an article provided by A Day in the Life of Sunim team.