'Save the Children' conducts assessment on Assam flood relief

"We have conducted an assessment in some of the worst-affected districts, including Barpeta, Jorhat, Golaghat and Sonitpur and are in touch with State Disaster Management Authority and district administrations," Save the Children India CEO Thomas Chandy said.

The organisation has launched a flood relief programme in Assam and will set up an office in the state to work in the worst-affected districts, he said.

The assessment made by Save the Children found an urgent task was to disinfect the current potable water sources, mainly hand-pumps and provide water purification tablets.

Besides, there was a need for supporting families stranded on embankments in meeting their hygiene and basic health support and monitor food intake and provide assistance as appropriate.

"Around 36 per cent of under-5 year old children in Assam are malnourished. It is critical to check the nutrition level of the people as it will affect their ability to fight diseases. Providing supplementary nutrition is a vital need when the ICDS centres reopen," Chandy said.

A team from Save the Children has found that cholera cases are beginning to be reported in the Nalbari district due to lack of unavailability of safe water, he said.