In Bihar, India, Oxfam Unwrapped is helping people to keep themselves – and the local economy – afloat. Bihar is regularly hit by flooding. So Oxfam Unwrapped launched a new project – and 24 rescue boats – that will help reduce the impact of flooding.
Each boat can carry 10 to 15 people at a time and can be used to transport people and their livestock to higher ground during flooding. Local committees manage and maintain the boats throughout the year. When the river levels are low, they loan out the boats, which has helped create a fund to repair and maintain the rescue boats.
The boats came in useful in August 2008 when over 2.5 million people were affected when the Kosi River swept into Bihar. Five of the rescue boats were used to rescue of 700 people from marooned villages.
Oxfam and partners have also organised several mock rescue drills for Village Disaster Preparedness Committees in order to improve their capacity to respond in emergencies. Oxfam’s work continues, well after the floods have receded.