Three months after a super-sized cyclonic storm ravaged West India, the Salvation Army continues to offer relief at the frontline to help survivors recover their daily lives in the state of Gujarat.
According to the Salvation Army's latest update of the flood situation in India, the organisation identified that galvanised roofing sheets are the most pressing need in the aftermath of the flood, following an extensive consultation with the most affected communities in Gujarat.During an 18-hour downpour on July 26 – which saw a world record 944 mm (37 inches) of rain fall on Mumbai in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra – more than 600 villages in Gujarat were isolated by rising flood waters and thousands of homes were lost, the Salvation Army stated in a report in late September.
A long-term recovery relief program in west India was therefore launched through a donation of US$250,000 from the Salvation Army in Southern America, whose own communities have witnessed extensive damage this year from hurricanes.
The program aims to rebuild 400 rural homes in Gujarat as well as replacing home furnishings to 2,000 families in the slum areas of Mumbai.
Till now, there have not been sufficient funds to rebuild the houses entirely; the Salvation Army offers the displaced families some roofing sheets that are supported by strong poles, which can at least protect them from daytime heat, nighttime cold and the rain, according to the latest update.
The Salvation Army said that the people would be able gradually to rebuild their houses using traditional materials and techniques.
"I was impressed that the villagers themselves participated in identifying the neediest beneficiaries. All homes were assessed and roofing sheets were distributed up to a maximum of 20 per household," stated Captain Elizabeth Hayward, International Emergency Services Field Operations and Training Officer, after visiting the Gujarat area to review the ongoing relief work.
