Indian Cyclone Hudhud
December 2, 2014 - In October, Cyclone Hudhud caused widespread damage across several states in India. Over 100 people were killed, and several regions were under extreme threat of avalanches. The health of thousands of community members is hugely threatened, with cases of malaria, fever, skin allergies, and jaundice prevalent, highly linked to contamination of the available water sources and large amounts of stagnant water.
GlobalMedic has been conducting needs assessments throughout the region to identify the communities with the greatest need of support. Even weeks after the disaster, neighborhoods are still struggling without power, and many families have access to mainline water for just one hour each morning. Homeowners who lost their homes are now living outside or with neighbours, and the government has taken no action to support these homeless individuals. Further, in areas without proper latrines or formal drainage systems, community members have undertaken to dig informal drains that weave through the huts in an attempt to remove the stagnant water that threatens the health of their families.
