Durgapur Adda Young Association (D.A.Y.A.), a Durgapur based social welfare organization took up project “Punoruddhar” to support the people of the southern districts of West Bengal who have been badly hit and devastated by the super cyclone “Amphan”.
In the first stage of their effort, on 28th of May, 2020, a truckload of dry food, clothes and roof-covers (canvas) have been distributed amongst the people of the villages “Gheri Para” and “24 bigha” under “Patli Khanpur” panchayat of north 24 Parganas. In addition, essential materials were also distributed among people in two rescue camps made for the homeless.
It deserves a special mention that no help has reached the said villages before. Ten members of the D.A.Y.A., who went there to offer help, had to cover a flooded three kilometers distance on their feet to reach the villages. They had to cross a broken dam on river “Dhansa” on their way. It took enormous courage and dedication to actually cover this road on feet. However, it would have been impossible to offer the support without the help of local people, who carried heavy loads themselves along with helping the members of D.A.Y.A. all along the difficult road.
Each of the 455 beneficiary families was offered 2 kgs of potato, 1 kg of onion, 1 kg of salt, 500 gms of red lentil, puffed rice, sugar, 200 gms of mustard oil and soyabean, and a steel plate for every family. Apart from these, breads, biscuits, powder milk and sanitary napkin were given to the needy.
The little or no effort from the state administration, even after two weeks of the cyclone “Amphan”, and the sufferings of the poor people who lost everything because of the cyclonic storm, have been painfully noticed from a very close proximity by the members of D.A.Y.A. during the first phase of “Punoruddhar”. Hence, we decided to take up further phases of supportive activities in near future. Many places that have been flooded could not be reached yet as all the roads are destroyed. Fish farming and cultivation in the entire areas have been harmed so badly that it may take several years to recover them back to normal.
Continuing the supportive work for the super cyclone Amphan affected families of Sunderban, D.A.Y.A took up Punoruddhar – II project. 8 member team of D.A.Y.A with a truck load of relief materials left Durgapur on 6th June 2020 evening. On 7th June packets of life essentials were distributed among 398 families of Bere Chak, Halda and Bainara under Rupmari village panchayat. On 8th June similar packets containing life support materials were distributed among 197 families of Timarai Pulpara and Paschim Ghuni under Patli Khanpur village panchayat.
Each packet contained 4 kg rice, 2 Kg potato, 1 Kg onion, 500 grams of red lentils, roasted gram flour, Chira, jiggery, 400 grams of soybeans, 2 bun bread, 100 grams of turmeric powder, 200 grams of mustard oil and 6 medium sized candles.
Considering the immensely grave situation of the entire Sunderbans and call for support from Sunderban’s South 24 Paragana part, D.A.Y.A embarked upon Punoruddhar – III mission.
On 6th July 10 member team of Durgapur Adda Young Association left Durgapur at 7 pm with a full truck load of relief materials. After a full night journey on truck, the team reached the Gadkhali jetty in the early hours. The relief materials from the truck were transferred to one large cargo boat and after almost 4 hours of boat journey, packets containing relief materials were distributed among 504 families of Santigachi Uttarpara and Banikhali under Lahiripur village panchayat of Goosaba block.
Each packet contained 5 kg rice, 2 Kg potato, 1 Kg onion, 500 grams of red lentils, roasted gram flour, Chira and Jaggery, 400 grams of soybeans, 2 bun bread, 100 grams of turmeric powder and 200 grams of mustard oil. Even after months of Amphan no relief materials from any corner reached these two places simply because these places are located far off from the river shore.