| Project Name | Relief to Yaas affected people of South Bengal districts |
| Beneficiaries | Individuals and families residing in Sunderban areas |
| Project Status | Closed: was active between May 2021 and June 2021 |
Almost exactly one year since the Amphan devastations, the ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ Yaas tore into the coastal regions of West Bengal and Odisha, leaving behind a trail of destruction. South Bengal districts of East Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and parts of North 24 Parganas were the most affected. The cyclone, coupled with high tides, inundated large number of villages, cutting off essential supplies, and even sources of drinking water, for weeks altogether.
Just like Amphan last year, members of the Foundation immediately got into action. We got distress calls from villages in need of immediate help. As always, foundation members extended generous support. Many of our patrons also came forward.
While a lot of members contributed to these projects in various ways, the Foundation would like to thank Manabendra Roy, Arindam Dhar, Supratim Biswas, Kuntal Roy, Pijush Kanti Das and Pradip Adhikari for the specific roles played by them.
A. Supply of Essentials (Food, Medicines) – Village Pakhiralay, Block Gosaba, Sundarban, South 24 Parganas
We received a distress call from residents of “Pakhiralay”, a small village that comes under Gosaba block of Sunderban Jungle Mahal, and is located on the Datta river, with Sajnekhali tiger project reserve on the other side of the river. At that time, the village was literally under five feet of water as a result of the high tides (“bharaa kataal” in local lingo) and had urgent requirement for relief items such as food and medicine. No access over road was possible, the closest we could reach was upto Godhkhali ferry ghat, and from there one of the resident volunteers would carry the relief material in speed boats.
A small group of foundation members quickly got together to assess possible options. It was decided that all items would be procured from the neighborhood, as we were not sure of availability in and around Godhkhali (we always prefer to make purchase from local markets). After a few rounds of discussion with the beneficiaries, the list of materials to be dispatched was finalized – mainly comprised of rice, daal, potato, soya nuggets, egg, bleaching powder, and assorted medicines – and in sufficient quantity for about 80 people to subsist on for about a week’s time. It was estimated that in about a week’s time, water would recede, and normalcy would return to the area.
Funds were raised at lightning speed, and several members expressed willingness to help with transport of the material. Some members helped in getting required travel permissions. Early morning of 2nd June, a six-member team headed towards Godhkhali, with all the relief materials. After a 5-hour drive, the team reached the ferry ghat. Volunteers from the village arrived soon, and materials were loaded, first into motorized vans, and then into boat. Due to COVID restrictions, the team could spend just about enough time to hand over the items … and a few quick photo sessions.
Post-script: Anindyo, our friend in Pakhiralay village sent us a few pictures from the village community kitchen, where the relief materials sent by us were being used to cook food for the residents. Proud moment for all of us to see our Foundation banner in the backdrop – it was as if we were right there, extending a helping hand, to our friends in their hour of distress. Scroll down for a sneak-peek.
Day begins – Loading relief materials into cars 
Team reached Godkhali Launch Ghat 
Volunteers from Pakhiralay – helping with unloading 
For the last stretch, loading into motorized vans 
Materials, getting loaded into the speed boat 
A quick photo-session, with the volunteers, and Foundation banner 
Our official photographer 
Off it goes…
Pakhiralay Community Kitchen
Picture from the makeshift community kitchen, taken by our friends, morning of 5th June 2021.
B. Supply of Essentials (Food, Medicine, Dress, Sanitary Napkin) – Ghoramara, Sagar Block, and Sarberia, Canning, Sundarban, South 24 Parganas
Ghoramara is an island 92 km south of Calcutta in the Sunderban Delta complex of the Bay of Bengal. The island is small, roughly five square kilometers in area, and is quickly disappearing due to erosion and sea level rise. The island bore the brunt of Yaas, which tore away embankments that were built to keep the sea at bay. Villages were inundated under five feet of water, rendering thousands of residents virtually homeless, and dependent on relief and support for basis subsistence.
Through one of our members, we got connected to volunteer Mr Asim Mondal who, along with other volunteers, is engaged with collection and distribution of relief materials in the region. Soon, it was clear that the devastation, and the requirements, were several order of magintute higher than that of Pakhiralay. With very little time left, team started working in parallel on fund raising and planning for the program. As always, we worked closely with the final beneficiaries – understanding their exact needs, and figuring out how best to help them. This time, alongwith food items (the usual staff – rice, daal, vegetable oil, soya nuggets, potato, medicines), this time there was massive need for soap, bleaching powder, lactogen, cerelac, bed sheet, dress (sari, lungi, pant/shirt for children), sanitary napkin and so on. The team worked at amazing speed, and within a week, we were ready to hit the road.
The journey from Khardah/Sodepur to Lot no. 8, the nearest ferry ghat to Ghoramara, took four hours. All items were transported in private vehicles of our foundation members. As always, prior police permission was taken, and COVID appropriate behavior as strictly adhered to. Items were handed over to our volunteer friends, and we helped to load them in the boat. On our way back, we made a short stop-over, as some more relief materials were distributed among a few villagers in Sarberia village near Canning – this was an initiative of one of our members who chose to do it under the foundation banner.
Post script: since we couldn’t visit Ghoramara due to time and logistical challenges, our volunteer friends were kind enough to take a video during the distribution, and the same was sent to us. A local newspaper, based out of Sodepur, also featured us in their publication. Proud moments for the members – happy to be of help, happy to be recognized, happy to be able to spread the positivity!
