VHAS-MLAS collaboration with ActionAID and AmericiCare assists Dzongu and Chungthang recover

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim and Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum, a Dzongu-based NGO, together with ActionAID and AmericiCare, India, made an emergency intervention in the North District, reaching relief materials to earthquake-affected areas in Upper Dzongu and Chungthang.
The villages covered were Theng, Bop, Pegong, Chungthang, Shipgyer, Romom, Sakyong, Pentong, Lingzya, Bey, Thulong, Leek, Saffo and Upper Barfok where severe damages were noticed and people displaced, informs an official press release.
The delivery of relief covered 600 families in Upper Dzongu and Chungthang and is one of the biggest non-governmental programmes addressed to the victims of earthquake. Also, with this programme, ActionAID has become the first international organization to reach earthquake affected areas of Shipgyer and Chungthang sub-division, informs the release.
Two members from the ActionAID, A. Swapan and Bana Mallika, reached Gangtok on 19 September, and the next day, guided by Tseten Lepcha of Chungthang walked through the treacherous terrain from Naga to Shipgyer through the tunnel of Teesta HEP stage III and finally reached Chungthang. The duo then conducted physical examination of the area, discussed requirements with the authorities and accordingly decided on the necessary materials and programmes finalized on the basis of the micro planning framed by Mr. Rai, the release adds.
VHAS has engaged eight local volunteers - Thupten Tshering Lepcha, Takzen Lepcha, Tshewang Norgyal Lepcha, Kunzang Topgay Lepcha, Sonam Dupden Lepcha, Zangpo Lepcha, Dupden Lepcha and Top Tshering Lepcha - covering Upper Dzongu and Chungthang for the period of one month to assist the locals in their rehabilitation works.
With this group of volunteers, Mr. Tseten Lepcha of Chungthang carried out the work of identifying affected families at the local level. These affected villages were assessed by A. Swapan and Bana Mallika from ActionAID along with Executive Director, VHAS, Dr. BB Rai and facilitated by Tseten Lepcha and Ugen Pulzor Lepcha, the release further informs.
The relief team extended its support to the affected by providing each family with two polythene mats, one poly tent, one torch with 6 batteries, one packet of candles, match box, halogen tablets, one packet of bleaching powder and health education pamphlet, Horlicks, biscuits and noodles.
The relief was distributed in an open manner in the presence of villagers, panchayats and the government officials.
At Chungthang, the relief distribution had the presence of BDO, Chungthang, Samdup Bhutia, VO Chungthang, Dr. Dechen Doma and HM, Tasa Tengay Sec School, Yentan Gyatso Bhutia, while at Theng ward, Branch Manager, SBS was present as the guest of the event while AE, Power and Energy Department, Karma Bhutia was present at Tsoten and Pentong. These areas were earlier inspected by Relief Coordinator of VHAS Srijana Thapa and secretary MLAS, Dzongu, Ugen Pulzor Lepcha.
VHAS has been carrying out the assessment of the extent of loss of property suffered by each family in these areas for the future rehabilitation plans. VHAS in partnership with ActionAID and other agencies is also working on the rebuilding exercise in the areas of health, sanitation, livelihoods and other pertinent issues and helping the affected recover from the calamity setback. Further the organization is working in close coordination with the state departments and other local bodies including civil societies to better the situations in the earthquake hit areas, the release details.
The VHAS executive director has appraised the District Magistrate (North), SDM (Chungthang), BDO (Chungthang) and BDO (Passingdong) of the organisation’s availability for support and help during emergencies, adds the release.