Visit to Sunderbans to provide relief material to families affected by the cyclone Yaas and Tiger attacks
Yaas was a very severe cyclonic storm that brought significant impacts to parts of West Bengal, especially the Sunderbans areas in late May 2021.
Anavi undertook an ambitious project to provide relief materials to families affected by this natural calamity. We also came to know that many of the families have lost male members to Tiger attacks.
Mr. Ujjawal and Mr. Subhasis who have worked extensively among the people of Sunderbans islands, considered endangered in a 2020 assessment under the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems framework. They provided us the feedback about the needs of the people and Anavi stepped up to the challenge.
200 families were identified in the Gosaba block. The arrangements were made for these families to come to two islands – Kumirmari and Lahiripur – where the relief materials would be distributed. One bag per family was prepared each containing Potato, Onion, Dal, Chana Sattu, Soya Chunks, Spices, biscuits, Mustard oil, soap and a Torch light which they especially requested.
Permission from authorities had to be taken prior planning such a trip considering the pandemic situation and restrictions on travel. We had been allowed on 07th July.
We had utilised the sailing time to distribute the bulk material into separate bags. The plan was to visit the village, speak to the villagers and hand out the materials. But the rain gods had some other ideas.
We had to make an unscheduled stop at Palmari island on our way to Lahiripur. This was to distribute to families who could not travel to their designated collection centre at Kumirmari.
The rocking ferry is not everyone’s cup of tea! It had been a rough ride since morning. The delicious lunch provided to us prepared by the staff on the ferry had reenergised us, but it was the greater cause of helping that kept us going. After a short halt of 45 mins where we distributed the remaining material to the waiting families, we proceeded on the final leg of our journey to return to base.
A deep sense of gratitude fills us as we return and think about these people who struggle everyday just to make ends meet. We also thank our well wishers who have supported and encouraged us to reach out further and touch more lives. In the process, challenge and better ourselves. We hope to keep doing this more often and for many more years to come.
