Water Harvesting codedev

by Ngo's

Water Harvesting/Security Program

Water Harvesting/Security Program:  
 Nakhatrana Block, District Kutch, Gujarat

IDRF and Samerth have been greatly successful in developing Water Harvesting Structurers in the villages of Nakhatrana block.

  1. Pababhai Rabari- a resident of Khambhla village, looks after his cattle and is engaged in some agricultural activities. His farm land is located near the border of Mathal village. When Samerth has started the developing work at Ratnasar Talav (pond). Pababhai has visited the site on many occasions while taking his cattle for drinking water near this site. He highly praises the efforts of this development and according to him, there are about 2,500 Sheep & Goats, 200 Cows, and 300 buffalos that are able to drink water daily from this pond after its revival and development. The herds of cattle come from Mathal, Todia and Khambhala villages. According to Pababhai, this pond has a capacity to store water for the whole year after its redevelopment, and the cattle herders are extremely grateful with this redevelopment program.

Sheep Drinking water from Ratnasar Talav (Pond) in Mathal Village.

Pababhai Maldhari from Khambhala village

Kanjibhai Garva resides in Mathal village and is engaged in farming activities.  His farm land is located near Chhapri Dam, near Mathal, which was developed last year. Even though this area gets meager rain fall, last year the bore well on his farm land was able to recharge water as a result of the water harvesting structure development. The water level in his borewell increased by 4 to 5 feet. So it is important to note that the water bodies developed as part of the project, not only conserve water, but also recharge the other water structures and aquifers in the surrounding areas.

Kanjibhai proudly showing his borewell with new recharge level of water

Kanjibhai’s farm land near the Chhapri Dam

  1. Kanjibhai believes that if the monsoon season brings good rainfall this year, it will have a good impact on the farming activities in this area, and the farmers will be able to produce more crops with the recharged borewells near the pond area.

  2. At Aiyyar village, Samerth has developed two water harvesting structures, one for the cattle and another for the drinking purpose for the people in the community. The newly elected Sarpanch (village head) Mr. Vipulabhai Patel is a young and dynamic person, who also teaches at a college at Nakhatrana. According to him, Samerth’s support has changed the perspective of his thinking in developing water structures in this area. This village had four water structures and Samerth developed two more recently. There is also a huge check dam with voluminous water retention capacity. After Samerth’s intervention, Vipul Patel and his team have decided to file an application to the government for the development of this check dam. The villagers have completed a detailed study report of this dam with the support of engineers, and submitted the application to develop the check dam near Aiyyar village. The application is submitted to Kayla Water & Irrigation Department, Nakhatrana Block with an approximate estimate of INR 45 lakhs for the development process.

Sarpanch of Aiyyar Village (right) in conversation with Samerth official

Jammu and Kashmir Floods 2014 2

by Disaster Relief and RehabilitationNgo's

Jammu and Kashmir Floods 2014

The state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) received torrential rainfall in September 2014 that triggered flooding and landslides in several areas. Constant rains and landslides wreaked havoc and brought life to a standstill in the state, claiming more than 150 lives, inundating hundreds of villages and leaving millions stranded.

NGO: Sewa Bharti Jammu and Kashmir

IDRF partner since: 2011

  • Focus Area: Jammu and Kashmir Floods 2014
  • Location: Jammu and Kashmir
  • Project Title: Distribution of relief material, relief checks and construction material to repair and reconstruct damaged houses
  • Details:  IDRF partnered with NGO Sewa Bharti Jammu and Kashmir to implement a disaster response project for the affected communities, irrespective of caste or religion. The IDRF funded disaster response project for affected communities included both short and long‐term relief measures. Along with the distribution of food and pherans (traditional woolen gowns)—to keep people warm through the winters, Sewa Bharti also distributed mobile stalls and goods, such as kangris (fire pots). In addition to supplies, relief to flood victims for the repair and construction of their damaged houses was provided both in the form of relief checks and construction materials. IDRF realized that self-reliance was the only way to somewhat stabilize the lives of the affected people. So in this regard, we sent financial grants to distribute mobile stalls including the goods for selling, so that the affected people could start earning their livelihood and bring their lives back on track.

Mobile stalls with goods and Pherans (traditional woolen gowns) given to flood victims

Check distribution to the flood victims

Distribution of traditional woolen gown (pherans) to the victims

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh Floods 2015

by with No Comment Disaster Relief and RehabilitationNgo's

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh Floods- 2015

Heavy rains caused by monsoon in November – December of 2015 resulted in floods along the Coromandel Coastal region of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The city of Chennai was worst hit and the low-lying parts were soon inundated and several buildings collapsed as a result of heavy rains. In the Chennai region alone more than 500 people died and thousands displaced from their homes.

Hundreds of acres of agricultural land was ruined by flood waters in several districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. IDRF launched the fundraising to provide relief and rehabilitation through two highly reputable partner-NGOs: Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (SVRDS) and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS).

NGO: Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (SVRDS)

IDRF partner since: 1996

  • Focus Area: Rural Development Society
  • Location: Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu
  • Project Title: Distribution of relief kits to victims, Reconstruction of damaged houses
  • Details:  SVRDS focused on distributing relief kits to those villages around Chennai that did not receive Government aid in time. The relief kits were distributed to about 2000 families and consisted of a steel container filled with kitchen utensils, towel, clothing (saris and dhotis) for the whole family, mats, and groceries (like rice, oil, wheat, sooji, pulses), washing powder & medicine kits, etc. With IDRF’s support, reconstruction of severely damaged houses of very poor families was done, in order to bring about normalcy in flood victims’ lives. Seven houses with built-up areas of 270 square feet were constructed to resettle the families whose houses were damaged beyond repair.

Distribution of Relief Kits to Flood Victims

Houses repaired/reconstructed for the flood victims in Tamil Nadu

NGO: Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS)

Partner Since: 2002

IDRF funds to Yogoda Satsanga Society helped 8,075 families in five districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Many of the families that were helped were very poor and socially deprived and had not received any form of help from other relief agencies. YSS devotees and members distributed relief kits to these people that comprised of solar re-chargeable LED lamps, bedsheets, and mats.

Relief Kits being distributed to Flood Victims

Please click on the link to learn more about Yogoda Satsanga Society’s various programs.

https://yssofindia.org/

Nepal Earthquake 2015

by Disaster Relief and RehabilitationNgo's

Nepal Earthquake- 2015

A massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on Richter scale struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, killing thousands and rendering hundreds of thousands homeless with entire villages flattened across the country. A series of aftershock began immediately and triggered more destruction by avalanches and landslides. Within a few days, on May 12, another major aftershock of magnitude 7.3 Richter scale caused more destruction and the number of dead rose to 9,000 and injured to 22,000.

IDRF promptly launched its special fundraising campaign and funds started pouring in.  Due to the benevolence of several individual supporters and organizations, IDRF was able to send funds through longtime partner-NGO Manav Seva Sansthan to provide immediate relief to the victims. IDRF also extended help to Public Health Concern Trust, based in Nepal, to set up the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Kirtipur Hospital to deal with the overwhelming demands of surgery for the victims who had suffered serious injuries as a result of the earthquakes.

NGO: Manav Seva Sansthan “SEVA”

IDRF partner since: 2013

  • Focus Area: Nepal Earthquake 2015
  • Location: Nepal
  • Project Title: ICU setup at Kirtipur Hospital,Distribution of relief kits to victims
  • Details:  IDRF funds enabled Manav Seva Sansthan, based in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, to procure and distribute two types of relief-kits to 160 families in Gorkha district of Nepal: the ‘Non-food-relief items kit’, consisted of woolen blankets, clothes for the whole family and kitchen utensils. The other kit was the ‘Shelter and Hygiene kit’, which consisted of tarpaulin cloth, nylon rope needed for setting up tent and hygiene supplies like: soaps, undergarments, towel, comb, toothpaste and tooth brushes, etc

NGO: Public Health Concern Trust-NEPAL

NGO: Public Health Concern Trust-NEPAL

Partner Since: 2012

Right after the disastrous earthquake in Nepal, IDRF supporters and donors, wholeheartedly helped Kathmandu Model and Kirtipur Hospitals to serve more than 1,000 patients and 220 through surgical interventions. IDRF sent grants to establish and upgrade ICU facility and post-operative room at Kirtipur Hospital.

With IDRF and other organizations’ help, Public Health Concern Trust-Nepal was able to provide free medical and surgical care and hospital stay to the earthquake victims. Since most of the patients have lost their homes and belongings in the disaster, meals and a place to stay were also provided to their caretakers.

ICU at Kirtipur Hospital

Please click on the link below to know more about Public Health Concern Trust, Nepal. http://phectnepal.org/

Siachen Glacier Avalanche 2016

by Disaster Relief and RehabilitationNgo's

Siachen Glacier Avalanche- 2016

On February 3, 2016, an avalanche hit an Indian military base in Siachen Glacier region in Jammu and Kashmir, the inhospitable terrain at heights of 19,000 feet above sea level. Ten Indian Army soldiers were buried under deep snow and lost their lives. IDRF extended a helping hand to the new partner-NGO Youth for Sava, in order to send economic relief to the families of the dead soldiers in Karnataka.

NGO: Youth for Seva

IDRF partner since: 2016

  • Focus Area: Youth for Seva
  • Location: Karnataka
  • Project Title: Financial help to bereaved families of dead soldiers
  • Details:  Youth for Seva Youth for Seva was founded in 2007, as a nation-wide volunteering movement that inspires youth in India to volunteer and connects them to meaningful opportunities to serve the community. This organization aims to create positive change agents in the society, through the culture of volunteerism.
    A group of compassionate IDRF-volunteers, based in the United States, succeeded in raising handsome amount of funds in order to provided financial help to the bereaved families of the ten dead soldiers. IDRF joined hands with Youth for Seva, a pan-India volunteering movement, by extending help to these families who are not very economically well-off and have lost their major breadwinners.

Nandiwale Babu Annappa, Athani, Belgavi

Vishwanath Bharamappa Parasannavar, Gokak, Belagavi

India Floods- 2017

by Ngo'sWomen’s Empowerment

India Floods- 2017

Due to heavy rains, many parts in India like: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, etc. experienced floods during the monsoons of 2017. Scores of people were killed and thousands rendered homeless. Rescue efforts on a war-footing by army and paramilitary rescue workers were carried out to evacuate people stranded on rooftops and trees and others were relocated from low-lying areas. Military personnel had to be called upon to help rescue thousands of people marooned due to floods. IDRF promptly launched the disaster relief/rehabilitation programs through its reputable partner-NGOs: Economic Rural Development Society (ERDS) in West Bengal, Gram Vikas Parishad in Bihar, Manav Seva Sansthan in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Samerth Charitable Trust in Gujarat.

NGO: Economic Rural Development Society (ERDS)

ERDS in West Bengal distributed Food Kits, each comprised of rice, flour, sugar and milk etc. to 100 flood affected families.

Devastation caused by floods in West Bengal- 2017

NGO: Gram Vikas Parishad

In Bihar, IDRF helped Gram Vikas Parishad distribute 100 Relief Kits to affected families. Each kit included: rice, flour, polythene sheets for temporary shelter, medicines and life jackets. Most of the flood ravaged villages comprise of elderly, women and children who had lost everything and were confronted with near-starvation like situation.

Distribution of Relief Kits to flood victims in Bihar

NGO: Manav Seva Sansthan

Manav Seva Sansthan distributed relief items to 100 flood affected families in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The relief items included ready to eat dry foods, non-Perishable food items like Wheat Flour, Rice, Oil, Pulses, Sugar, food containers, water filter, mosquito nets and hygiene kits. The beneficiaries included families from schedule caste, women headed families, widows and differently abled. The beneficiary families were identified in coordination with local government authorities and community members.  Token based distribution mechanism was adopted to avoid duplicity and ensure full transparency.  During the distribution the beneficiaries were briefed on healthy hand hygiene habits and encouraged to use toilets for defecation.

Distribution of Relief Material in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

NGO: Samerth Charitable Trust

Samerth in Gujarat distributed relief kit along with food grains to the 100 poorest of poor families living in interior parts of Gujarat. Samerth team had identified these families from 27 villages in the flood ravaged areas.

Hundreds of houses were badly damaged & acres of land got submerged under water and covered in flood-water sand. For thousands of victims in the disaster affected villages, agriculture is the only means of livelihood. Samerth has identified 80 families who have lost their livelihood as a part of the rehabilitation process.  With the financial support of IDRF, Samerth has been able to help resettle the poor villagers by providing them with potter’s wheels, masonry and agriculture kits, sheep, goats, buffaloes, fodder, milk cans and sewing machines, etc.

 

Relief and rehabilitation work for flood victims in Gujarat

Relief and rehabilitation work for flood victims in Gujarat

West Bengal Freak Storm- 2017

by Disaster Relief and RehabilitationNgo's

West Bengal Freak Storm- 2017

On March 25th 2017, a massive storm, wreaked havoc in Malda, West Bengal. Hundreds of lives in nine villages were devastated in just 22 minutes and killed people and innumerable livestock. The storm damaged/destroyed several houses, crops and innumerable livestock. This has been financially devastating for the poor rural people. IDRF and partner-NGO Economic Rural Development Society (ERDS) joined hands to help the victims of this storm.

West Bengal Freak Storm- 2017

IDRF partner since: 2011

  • Focus Area: Economic Rural Development Society
  • Location: West Bengal
  • Project Title:  Construction of new houses and repairs of damaged houses & livelihood provisions
  • Details:  The Freak storm unroofed and damaged 69 houses and the inhabitants were compelled to stay at others people’s houses or take shelter under trees. IDRF and ERDS joined hands to assist the victims and make them self-reliant once again. IDRF immediately sent two grants aggregating towards reconstruction of 31 fully damaged houses and repairs of 38 of partially damaged houses and for providing new livestock (one cow, four goats or four pigs) to 69 families in order to help them get back on their feet.

Reconstruction of house for Beneficiary- Ashalata Gosh of Majhra village in Malda District

Reconstruction of House for Beneficiary- Maino Mardi in Badnagara village, Malda District

Kerala Floods- 2018

by Disaster Relief and RehabilitationNgo's

Kerala Floods- 2018 and 2019

Due to heavy monsoon rains, the state of Kerala in India, experienced devastating floods during the summers of 2018. Scores of people were killed and thousands rendered homeless. A red alert was announced in the state and troops deployed to carry out search and rescue missions. Hundreds of relief camps were opened to accommodate the victims. IDRF promptly launched the disaster relief/rehabilitation programs through its reputable partner-NGO: Manav Seva Sansthan and decided to send 100% of the donations received for flood victims.

NGO: Manav Seva Sansthan

IDRF partner since: 2018

  • Focus Area: Relief and Rehabilitation of affected families
  • Location: Kerala
  • Project Title: Kerala Floods 2018 and 2019
  • Details:  IDRF worked closely with the state government, who selected the beneficiaries to receive help from IDRF, so as to maximize the number of victims helped. IDRF send funds to Manav Seva Sansthan to distributed 100 kitchen kits and appliances to severely affected families in Pozhuthana, in Wayanad district, that helped set up their kitchens over again. Each Kitchen kits consisted of a gas stove, mixer grinder, pressure cooker, dinner set, frying pan set, emergency LED light and bucket/ mug/spoon/knife/thali, etc.
    IDRF also started programs to rehabilitate the flood victims whose only means of livelihood is agriculture and animal husbandry. Several poor families in Pozhuthana Gram Panchayat lost all their livestock which were their only means of sustenance. In order to rebuild the lives of these victims, IDRF gifted 18 cows to some families to start up again.
    IDRF is also supporting the repairs and rebuilding of 10 houses belonging to extremely poor families in Wayanad district. Cabinet Minister Ramachandran Kadannappally, Government of Kerala, laid the foundation stone of the housing project (Snehaveedu) in Wayanad.

    IDRF Fundraiser for Kerala Flood Victims: IDRF held a fundraiser at Tatva Indian Cuisine in Herndon, Virginia, on August 25, 2018 to raise funds for relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims. Several fundraisers were created on social media: Facebook by IDRF supporters and volunteers to raise funds for providing relief and rehabilitation for the severely affected flood victims.

Kitchen Kits and appliances were distributed to 100 severely affected families in Wayanad District

Livestock distribution to flood victims at a community event in Wayanad

Flood-affected families given cows to start up their livelihood once again

Foundation stone laid for IDRF-supported rebuilding of houses for extremely poor families

Cabinet Minister of Govt. Of Kerala inaugurates IDRF supported repairs and rebuilding of damaged houses

IDRF Fundraiser for Kerala Flood Victims:

IDRF held a fundraiser at Tatva Indian Cuisine in Herndon, Virginia, on August 25, 2018 to raise funds for relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.

Several fundraisers were created on social media: Facebook by IDRF supporters and volunteers to raise funds for providing relief and rehabilitation for the severely affected flood victims.———————

IDRF Fundraiser at Tatva Indian Cuisine at Herndon, Virginia

Bihar Floods 2019

by Disaster Relief and RehabilitationNgo's

Bihar Floods 2019

Tens of millions of people in India’s northern state of Bihar were badly affected by the storms and floods caused by heavy monsoon rains. Thousands of villages were flooded and people rendered homeless. Several people lost their lives, thousands of animals swept away and croplands submerged due to floodwaters. IDRF promptly launched the disaster relief and rehabilitation programs through its reputable partner-NGO: Manav Seva Sansthan (MSS) and decided to send 100% of the donations received for flood victims.

NGO: Manav Seva Sansthan

  • Focus Area: Manav Seva Sansthan
  • Location: Bihar
  • Project Title: Bihar Floods 2019
  • Details:  IDRF’s partner-NGO Manav Seva Sansthan has past experience and extensive knowledge of the Madhubani district, where several villages faced the worst impacts. MSS targeted three blocks of the district that were severely affected due to heavier rains and remote locations in the foothills of the Himalayas. Even though the local government agencies sent help, there were several remote areas where it took longer for their teams to get to the victims. With the help of generous donors, IDRF was able to raise funds and provide Relief Kits to 150 poor families. These Relief Kits included: personal hygiene items, candles, non-perishable food items like lentils, flour, rice, oil, spices, etc.

NGO team packing 150 Relief Kits for flood victims

Distribution of Relief Kits to 150 poor families

People taking the Relief Kits back to their villages

Due to stagnant waters for several weeks, the water-bodies in the area got contaminated and people were using that water to drink and cook, thus, resulting in skin and gastrointestinal diseases. Access to health centers was disrupted due to damage to roads and the situation was particularly serious for children and pregnant women. In order to provide urgent health-care services, IDRF supported five Mobile Health Camps in the worst affected areas. Free medical checkups and distribution of medicines were done for the poor flood victims. In addition, 75 hand pumps were repaired and the water supply was restored in them for use by the local people. These low-depth hand pumps were also chlorinated to provide water for drinking and other household uses.

Free checkups and medicines for poor flood victims​

IDRF also started a program to rehabilitate 150 families in Madhubani district whose only means of livelihood is small scale agriculture. These families were provided high-quality seeds of high yielding crops like wheat and potatoes, etc. to start over again.

In addition, the following items were also provided to 150 poor families who have lost all their belongings due to the floods:
Items
Quantity Per Households
1 Quilts(for winter use) 02
2 Water Filter(manuakky operated) 1
3 Emergency Lights(solar-powdered) 1
4 Mosquito Nets 02

Quilts, water filters, solar emergency lights, and mosquito nets, etc. for 150 flood-affected families

Rehabilitation and livelihood support provided to 150 poor households

“Grab and Go” Food Distribution Events

by Disaster Relief and RehabilitationNgo's

“Grab and Go” Food Distribution Events

IDRF joins hands with the Indian-American Organisations and Community of DC Metro Area to help needy families during the COVID-19 Pandemic

September 2020

Grab & Go event to distribute 9,000 lbs of fresh produce and non-perishable groceries to more than 260 families by IDRF in partnership with Rajasthali DC, Germantown HELP, MCPS, and  Journey’s Crossing Church on September 19, 2020, at Germantown, Maryland. 

August 2020

Grab & Go event to distribute 587 bags of fresh groceries by IDRF in partnership with DC Dream Center, Blessings of Hope, and Breadcoin at Pennsylvania Baptist Church in Washington DC on August 31, 2020.  

Grab & Go event to distribute fresh groceries to 280 families by IDRF in partnership with Rajasthali Association of Washington DC, Germantown HELP, MCPS, and Neelsville Presbyterian Church was organized in Germantown, MD on Saturday, August 15th. 

Montgomery County Council, Maryland’s VP-Tom Hucker awarded citations to IDRF and partners on India’s 74th Independence Day for their commendable relief work done to serve the multi-cultural and diverse communities in the DC Metro area during these challenging times. 

Grab & Go event to distribute 500 bags of fresh groceries by IDRF in partnership with DC Dream Center, Blessings of Hope and Breadcoin at Pennsylvania Baptist Church in Washington DC on August 3.

July 2020

Grab & Go event to distribute 250 free food bags by IDRF and Rajasthali Association in partnership with Germantown HELP and MCPS on July 18 at Journey’s Crossing Church, Germantown.

Grab & Go event to distribute groceries to 580 families by IDRF and ADG in conjunction and support from other partners on July 11 at Astha Adult care center, Silver Spring, MD.

June 2020

“Grab and Go Food Drive” to provide relief to 750 struggling families of Montgomery County, Maryland
on June 14, 2020, at the Mangal Mandir, Silver Spring, MD

“Grab and Go Food Drive” to provide relief to 600 struggling families of Montgomery County  on June 13, 2020, at Montgomery College, Germantown, MD

“Grab and Go Food Drive” to provide relief to 600 struggling families of Montgomery County, Maryland

“Grab and Go Food Drive” to provide relief to 1260 struggling families of Montgomery County, Maryland
on May 23, 2020, at the Aastha Adult Medical Care, Silver Spring, MD

“Grab and Go Food Drive” to provide relief to 600 struggling families of Fairfax County, Virginia
on June 6, 2020, at the Durga Temple, 8400 Durga Pl, Fairfax Station, VA

May 2020

“Grab and Go Food Drive” to provide relief to 1140 struggling families of Montgomery County, Maryland
on May 30, 2020, at the Aastha Adult Medical Care, Silver Spring, MD

“Grab and Go Food Drive” to provide relief to 1140 struggling families of Montgomery County, Maryland
on May 23, 2020, at the Aastha Adult Medical Care, Silver Spring, MD

“Grab and Go Food Drive” to provide relief to 600 struggling families of Prince George’s County, Maryland
on May 9, 2020, at the Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Lanham, MD