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Spandana
A prompt response for the people in despair
East Godavari District is on the coastline of Bay of Bengal, many places are prone to natural disasters like cyclones, hurricanes and floods. The idea, Spandana originated after observing the effect of these natural disasters on the people living near the shoreline and in the low-lying areas. This effect is more prominent on the poor people because they live in huts, which are not very strong to give them adequate protection from these natural disasters. As a result they are forced to leave their dwellings with very short notice. Then these people are moved to temporary shelters where food and clothing is provided. At that time, there are usually outbreaks of waterborne diseases like gastroenteritis, which can lead to death.
This program was initiated in 1998 after observing several cyclones and floods and the suffering of the people affected by them. Based on the observations and discussions with the affected people the program is designed to provide basic necessities to displaced persons to help them until they can move back into their homes. These people are immediately provided with food, drinking water, medical check ups, medicines and clothes if needed.
Since the inception of the program, packets of cooked food have been distributed to families evacuated to temporary shelters during cyclones. In 1999 after the killer cyclone of Orissa, immediate action was in place on two phases. Immediately after the cyclone, dry foods (biscuits and puffed rice) and 500 new clothes were provided to the local relief agency for distribution. In the second phase, a truckload of used clothes was collected locally and transported to Orissa, where they were provided to a reputed agency, Ramakrishna Mission for distribution.
During the recent flooding of Godavari delta area several villages were under water for several days. After making some investigations into the immediate needs of the displaced persons, 650 households were provided with packets of dried food and a new set of clothes
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