The Tide Country...our Amphan Relief efforts

Dr Digbijoy Choudhry
Dr Anupam Das

When most of the northern part of the country was reeling under high temperatures in May, West Bengal was battling the cyclone Amphan.

Adding to the trauma of COVID 19, the people in the southern fringes of the state of West Bengal had to face the wrath of nature a second time over in the midst of this pandemic. The already dwindling economy in that region, from March, due to stoppage of tourism, was severely hit by this cyclone named as Amphan. Food supply was severely affected, among other things. People were starving due to lack of food and potable water. AFPI West Bengal, along with Spice Route members decided to come forward and help these people in this time of crisis.

We sought help from everyone, physically and digitally, in the form of monetary help as well as relief materials, whichever suited them. Very soon, many kind souls came forward. We were able to arrange food, clothes, medicines, disinfectants, and other daily use commodities, in a short time. We quickly made a working plan, to reach out to maximum people with minimal waste of time.

We understood the mammoth nature of the task at hand and decided to extend help to the most affected interior-most villages only. The materials were arranged and sorted into 100 packets. With the help of a local guide, arrangements were made, and we set off to the southern island region.

What we saw humbled us!

Embankments washed away, damaged huts, people begging for help and relief. It was disheartening! We reached our location by late afternoon, having set off early in the morning. Happy faces and big smiles awaited us. We distributed the packets to as many affected families in the village, knowing well, we couldn't help everyone.

Even though they had lost most of their belongings in the cyclone, the villagers had their hospitality to offer. But we had to return, so we bid adieu with a heavy heart and a promise to return if the need arose again, hoping that another calamity doesn’t strike again.