Oxfam India to provide emergency assistance in Uttrakhand

Published: 25th June 2013
  • As of 23rd June, the number of people stranded in Uttarakhand stands at 20,000.

  • An estimated 75,000 people have been rescued by all defence forces put together till 23rd June.

  • At least 75 villages have been severely damaged. However, local partners are estimating that 400 villages across Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Tehri regions have been washed off, submerged or affected.

Oxfam India has announced an immediate emergency relief response in the flood affected areas of Uttarakhand. Oxfam India is providing humanitarian assistance in the form of non-food items such as fleece blankets as well as dry food rations to the flood affected and shelter-less and coordinating its efforts with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and through its partners in the affected areas.

Once access is possible, Oxfam India will immediately assess the situation with the help of the local administration and its local partners based in Uttarakhand. This is a large and complex operation given the geography of the area and the extent of the damage which is still to be assessed in full. Oxfam’s relief operations include providing water and sanitation, safety and protection of women and children.  Since Uttarakhand is also one of Oxfam India’s 7 focus states, beyond the short term relief operation, Oxfam India is committed to strengthen its long term program of support.

Apart from its own contribution, Oxfam is initiating a campaign to invite support in the form of donations from individuals, corporations and institutions for this extensive operation. Oxfam is raising funds from international donors as well.

“This is one of the worst calamities to have struck Uttarakhand in recent times. The problems such a calamity leaves behind are complex and need interventions at many levels. The immediate need of course is to help the more than 60,000 pilgrims and tourists who are stranded. Oxfam is responding to provide provisions to the stranded people” says, Nisha Agrawal, CEO Oxfam India.

Oxfam India is providing clean water and sanitation and focusing on the safety and protection of women and children. We are providing humanitarian assistance in the form of non-food items such as fleece blankets as well as dry food rations to the flood affected and shelter-less. Tarpaulins, blankets - epi foam sheets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, hygiene kits and additional food aid for 1,500 households (8,100 women men and children) are being procured and being sent to Dehradun. Oxfam staff are now based with our local partner in Dehradun and coordinating the relief program.


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Please help support Oxfam's humanitarian response to the India floods:

This is one of the worst calamities to have struck Uttarakhand in recent times. The problems such a calamity leaves behind are complex and need interventions at many levels.
Nisha Agrawal
CEO Oxfam India

Contact information

K Kannan, Communications Manager, Oxfam India
Phone: +91-11-46538000 Ext.105, Mobile: +91-9911151783