India floods displace millions, cholera on the rise
POSTED: Aug. 9, 2007
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More than 20 million people have been displaced by the recent flooding in southern Asia.
Together, OBI and Emanuel Hospital Association are distributing more than 3,000 disaster relief kits to victims.
Inside Duncan Mission Hospital in Rexual, a patient is being treated for cholera.
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By Staci Dennis
BIHAR, India - More than 20 million people have been displaced by the recent flooding in India and Bangladesh.
Eighteen continuous days of monsoon rains drenched the region, the water flowing off the Himalayas through Nepal, into India and draining via Bangladesh.
Even though the water has started to recede and the rainfall has let up, the death toll from the floods is still increasing. Officials estimate more than 1,000 people have perished in India alone and others are still missing.
In addition, water-borne illnesses, such as cholera, are on the rise and displaced people are stranded without food and water.
"Other problems are snakebites and a general increase in sickness due to malnutrition," said OBI's David Darg, who is on the ground helping coordinate relief distributions. "People are sleeping on the sidewalk waiting for medical attention."
Hospitals are operating at capacity. The Emmanuel Hospital Association, for example, has been open for more than 70 years and has a huge catchment area that extends into Nepal and serves 350,000 people.
All of the facility's 220 beds are full.
Local governments have responded by airdropping food packages. OBI teamed up with the Emanuel Hospital Association to create and distribute disaster relief kits, designed to feed a family of eight for one week.
Each kit contains 'flattened' rice, sugar, biscuits, soap, candles, matches and chlorinating tablets that will cleanse 20 liters of water each or one week's supply. Together, OBI and the hospital association are stepping up relief distributions to distribute 3,000 kits.
Torrential rains are not uncommon for that region this time of year. However, the monsoon rains have been reported the heaviest to hit the area in decades, with 34.5 inches of rain in 15 days, surpassing the 23.6-inch record.
"This part of the world is no stranger to flooding," Darg said, "but for many in India, this year has been the worst in memory."
How You Can Help
You can take part in helping India's displaced families by making an online donation toward India flood relief. With your support, OBI can continue to provide food, medical care and more to thousands of hurting people.
Please make an on-line donation today. Your donation will help us continue to provide lifesaving care to those who need it most.
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