By Srirajni Narkiewicz | Digital Fundraiser
Following Cyclone Amphan- and a subsequent cyclone- it has been a challenge for the team to support the young girls across the community due to sustained, heavy rainfall. Every day a team of 9-10 staff members have been making the trip, taking 4-5 hours to get there due to the adverse conditions. They set off at 4 a.m. and work there all day and then come back by 10 pm.
During the day, they meet with the group leaders and conduct home visits. There is an increased risk of girls being trafficked at the moment, traffickers see that the situation is so dire and they move into the villages offering false working opportunities and marriage prospects to girls and parents and young men. The team have given the task to group leaders to try to prevent this by educating the village community.
Our partners have been working closely with the local government to support those worst affected by the cyclone and now the floods. Previously people would have to apply for aid and assistance with rebuilding through local mechanisms which were corrupt, now our partners have been appointed as an intermediary so they oversee the process and make sure everyone gets their entitlements.
The girls and women’s network has already been distributing dry foods and some baby food, and dry clothing for girls and women who have lost all their clothes in the cyclone and floods, and they are starting to distribute mosquito nets.
The danger of Covid is ever-present. Cases are increasing in the region and people cannot socially distance, many of them are living in shelters and emergency accommodation like re-purposed schools. All team members have to carry PPE, masks, sanitizers and oxymeters.
Project schools continue to be closed, but the girls are preparing for tests in July. Schools are helping by providing exam questions so that they can practice.
It would be natural to wonder about the team’s morale in the face of such adversity and suffering over a sustained period of time. A project leader, Manami, says that despite all these difficulties morale has never been higher. The team are enthusiastic and want to do everything they can. No one wants to take leave and everyone says yes no matter how challenging the work is that they have to do. We endeavour to support them as best as possible, and your donations help ensure their efforts successful. Thank you!
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