Help Tourism

It has been almost three months since the devastating cyclone struck the Sunderbans delta. And the battle still continues with poor rain falls, no agriculture followed by the hungry autumn looming large. Thousands of villagers have been displaced; many more have already migrated to the cities leaving behind their heavy hearts, but millions have no choice but to stay back and continue their day-to-day battle in this hostile terrain. The cyclone had hit the Bengal coast on Monday, 25th of May 2009 and has left a massive trail of destruction in different parts of the state. The scale of destruction and the suffering of the effected people were unprecedented.

A long-term plan for creating livelihood options, rebuilding houses, repairing schools and creating fresh and clean water sources is still awaited although reconstruction of man-made embankments has been possible in most of the affected areas. Despite the human tragedy and loss of properties that the cyclone and subsequent floods had caused, the mangrove forests of Sunderbans and its animal life have been mostly intact.

The government’s response to the cyclone devastation was immediate but the relief operations delayed to start as local communication systems were found to be paralyzed and many areas inaccessible by the impact of the cyclone. The army and Border Security Force personals were called in for carrying out rescue operations and air dropping of food packets in the inaccessible terrains. NGOs played a vital role in the relief, rescue and rebuilding operations cutting across all corners.

The Government of India had incepted the Natural Disaster Management Program (NDMP) in 1992-93 following the devastating Latur earthquake to suggest a long-term strategy for managing natural disasters in the country, but from the reaction of NDMP after the cyclone it seems they have not realized that costs of disaster mitigation are far more economical than spending huge money on relief and rehabilitation.

It is beyond any doubt that after a natural disaster of such an extreme magnitude, in which properties and lives of countless people are devastated, anger against the government administration is usual. The Aila affected legendary Sunderbans islanders have been exceptional and have demonstrated their towering courage, resilience and unfathomable fighting spirit instead of showing any anger. One can still see smile on their faces!

Help Tourism and ACT along with their partners, associates, supporters, patrons, and friends have been working non-stop in the villages since 25th May. Our team of volunteers visited most of the affected islands and tried to help out the communities by providing medical assistance, food, water, temporary shelters, clothes, lanterns, mosquito nets, torches, tents. Several thousands of ponds have been dewatered with the help of our pump sets and embankments have been repaired in Bali and adjoining Islands. Medical camps are being regularly organized with specialist doctors and our trained health volunteers. Mangrove plantation programme has already begun to protect the embankments and villages. Support has been extended to the local schools so that normal classes can resume. A mobile medical boat has been placed to provide medical assistance and medicines to far flung areas. This mobile medical facility has a fast-moving ambulance boat also so that the serious patients can be shifted to referral and specialty hospitals.

Many individuals and friends have generously extended support to help us continue our work. It is impossible to mention every one’s name here as the list is long. We apologize for that. Complete details will be available on the website of ACT(www.actnowornevr.org) soon. We and our local partner in Sunderbans Bali Nature & Wildlife Conservation Society are grateful to Wildlife Protection Society of India, Sanctuary Asia, Hemendra Kothari Foundation, Samarpan Foundation, Parabar Cultural Group, Cyclone Aila 2009 Facebook Support Group, Charities Aid Foundation India, West Bengal Voluntary Health Association, Diakonie, Modella Caretaker Centre & School for their generous contribution, support and encouragement.

It is indeed important to mention at this stage about the exemplary and responsible participation of the Travel Industry. Our partners and associates in the Responsible Tourism Network (www.rtnetworking.org.), representing global solidarity to responsible tourism practices, extended all possible support and stood by the effected people of Sunderbans from the day one of the Aila menace. We are particularly grateful to The Blue Yonder (India), Social Tour.com Travels (Nepal), Travel to Care (India & Denmark) and Grass Route Journeys (India) for their leadership and initiatives.

We hope to have all of them with us as the battle continues……..