New Delhi, 03rd May, 2019: Plan India is poised to respond to Cyclone FANI, which made landfall today in coastal Odisha with wind speeds recorded at 200km per hour. The cyclone categorized as an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’ by the Indian Met Department has been building up in the Bay of Bengal. As per the government reports, the eastern coastal states are at risk, including Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
As part of the emergency response management, Plan India will focus its relief work in the worst affected areas of Puri across four coastal blocks of Konark, Brahmagiri, Gop and Krushnaprasad. Humanitarian aid will be provided to around 25,000 person. The aid will include food and non-food items in these areas. 2000 children from these affected families would be provided with education kits to help them get back to schools. In the past, from the year 2000-2009 Plan India has implemented large scale impact programmes in these areas.
Post relief work, Plan India will align its focus in rebuilding the lives of the affected community members. The aim is to provide support to 5000 families to overcome the immediate distress caused by the disaster. This will include shelter rebuilding, providing access to basic households such as furniture and utensils; clothing and books among others. Special focus will be given on catering to the needs of the children in the form of creating child friendly spaces and re-opening of educational institutions.
Ashok Seth, Official Spokesperson, Plan India said, “We are closely monitoring the situation and stand in solidarity with Odisha. We are, in collaboration with our partner NGOs and volunteers, actively assessing the situation and developing our response. Over the many decades, Plan India has been at the forefront of providing emergency response, and while doing so, the safety, well-being and interest of the children particularly of the girl child, features as one of the topmost priorities for us.
Plan India has positioned a team of 15 trained humanitarian staff in areas where the cyclone is expected to make landfall. The trained resources would make a quick assessment in the aftermath so that a timely and fitting response could be ensured.
Plan India has responded to Cyclone Phailin in Odisha in 2013 and helped in rebuilding the lives of over 20,000 Cyclone affected families in Ganjam, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar district.
Plan India has been working in India since 1979, and has been responding to natural disasters, while continuing it’s work with children and their families to prepare for disasters to reduce risks and save lives. Since last four decades, Plan India has supported children, families and communities to access basic rights like education, proper healthcare, a healthy environment, protection and livelihood opportunities. Plan India currently works in 24 states with 5,400 communities and has touched the lives of over a million children and their families.
For further information please contact:
Pinky Pradhan, Director, Marketing and Communications
Email: pinky.pradhan@planindia.org
Shompa Mohanty, Manager, Media and PR
Email: shompa.mohanty@planindia.org