Emergency Flood Relief Appeal for Sundarbans

Dear Friends,

Please spare a few minutes of your valuable time to read the below mentioned issue as it is a matter concerning lives of lakhs of peoples living in Sundarbans.

It is a matter of great concern that due to the breach of the river embankment in Sundarbans during high tide on 13.07.2014, both Sagar Island and Mousuni Island have been badly hit by tidal surge. The tidal waves are now freely moving within the affected parts of the islands. Global climate change effect is taking its toll in this coastal region. Sea level rise has become utmost concern of this part of the world as many of the islands are in higher risk of getting submerged under water.

Heavy rainfall has made the situation worse for the coastal inhabitants. Huge parts of the islands have been inundated with flood water destroying human abodes and agricultural lands. Many houses have gone under water due to sudden flood out tidal surge during full moon period and around 50,000 islanders in Mousuni Island and about 1, 00,000 people in Sagar Island and Pathar Pratima have been vastly affected by this dreaded flood.

Apart from losing their homes, these poor people of both the islands have lost their agricultural lands, food grains, livestocks and livelihood all on a sudden due to such flood. With the advent of the monsoon, incessant rain has disrupted communications and routine life of the coastal communities. A large portion of the agricultural land has gone under saline water, which will ultimately become uncultivable. Even if the water gets receded away, the soil will turn saline. It would be difficult for making any agriculture over such land.Apart from crop destruction, the aquaculture, which is one of the major livelihoods here, will also get badly hit as the tidal water which entered the ponds, had taken away all the fishes and the rest will be damaged.

Most of the devastated sufferers have taken shelters in the comparatively high areas within the islands but they are in a precarious situation due to lack of foods and particularly drinking water. The situation is extremely bad particularly for the aged, children and women folks. Each day is passing in a very critical condition where health and sanitation are completely in a precarious situation.  

SEED is trying level best to support them in this critical situation with every possible ways. But, more external support is required to provide them a healthy life with basic amenities and medical support so that they can live in a humanly environment.

Considering this emergency, it would be highly appreciated if you can provide any sorts of help and support for these needy people in crisis. Please come forward to help with your capacity whatever you can by donating for them. SEED is registered under 80G. Any donation to SEED is exempted from Income Tax under section 80G.

SEED TEAM