SUNDARI; An Early Recovery Programme for Livelihood Restoration and Build back Support to Super Cyclone Amphan Affected People in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal

The Super Cyclone Amphan has impacted large number of people who are in distressing situation. There is no electricity in the South 24 Parganas district and the internet connectivity is very poor due to the low mobile network connection. Numerous trees have fallen, which have caused extensive damage to infrastructures and also blockages of roads. There has been extensive damage to standing crops. Livestock have been perished in huge numbers. Hundreds of trees were uprooted as the storm gathered intense speed by evening.Residents of the Sunderbans said Amphan had been far more destructive than Aila in 2009 and Bulbul in 2019.A jetty on the Buriganga river collapsed at Kachuberia village.District officials said several river embankments in the Sunderbans had been washed away or breached, and several areas were flooded. As per the preliminary assessment by the officials at ground; "It’s difficult to assess the loss of property and crops right now. But according to reports, the entire Sunderbans have been affected."A preliminary assessment indicates that over 2,000 thatches dwellings have collapsed in Bakkhali, Frasergunj, Namkhana, Sagardwip and Diamond Harbour.

Restoration of village level local economy by creating approx. 4,000 workdays in the target villages through cash-for-work. This will help in generation of opportunities of work for daily wage earners to develop / improve the existing community resources for disaster resilience within the village and pay cash in return. - 20% of total beneficiary

Livelihood activities of target families revived through the support on next crop planning, treatment & improvement of Fisheries/Pond based integrated farming, regeneration of livestock (Poultry farming), etc. This will also include activities and support on Agriculture in terms of skill & capacity building and material supportto develop Pond based integrated farming, Kitchen garden, betel vine - 40% of total beneficiary

Support on Animal Husbandry (Goatery, poultry etc.& Fisheries) in terms of skill & capacity building and material supportto develop poultry and other livestock rearing like goatery, etc – 15-20% of total beneficiary

Support on Trading & Medical in terms of skill & capacity building and material supportto develop small scale business, handicrafts, Pisciculture, rice production and selling - 10% to 15% of total beneficiary.

Target families enabled to access their rights and entitlements from the government, and also mitigate risks from future disasters through DRR and awareness activities 

• Restoration of local economy as well as damaged infrastructure in 4 project Blocks
• Mobile medical camp will organized for affected community.
• over 1000 men and women revived their livelihood activities
• Community will clean through providing lime & bleaching
• Conduct meetings with government officials on better dissemination of weather forecast and crop planning
• 1000 families are expected to have better understanding of their entitlements from the government