Unicef tracks Remal, health impact of natural disasters
Times of India | 23 January 2025
Kolkata: The Sundarbans is facing severe health challenges as climate change intensifies, triggering extreme weather events. Each disaster leaves behind a trail of illnesses and health crises that affect the region's marginalised communities. Recognising the need for intervention, Unicef has launched a health initiative in the Sundarbans, aiming at addressing climate disasters' health impacts.
By organising a series of health camps, the initiative ensures life-saving care for thousands, fostering a climate-resilient future for these disaster-stricken communities. The project, titled ‘Response and Recovery for Cyclone Remal and Building Readiness for Ongoing Monsoon', aims at addressing long-term health and sanitation challenges stemming from recurring natural disasters. On Tuesday, TOI visited Rajat Jubilee and Pakhirala in the Sundarbans' Gosaba block to witness the post-Remal climate resilience.
This intervention, launched in Nov 2024 with funding from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), targets 10 disaster-prone blocks of the Sundarbans. "With collaboration from local govt departments and NGOs, it has already organised 163 mobile health camps. Over 4,100 families received water and sanitation kits, and 50 large drinking water tanks have been installed," said Omkar Oniel Khare, programme officer (risk & resilience) of Unicef for Bengal and Odisha.
Prabir Mandal, vice-president of Lahiripur gram panchayat, said: "The initiative bridged critical gaps in healthcare in the post-disaster scenario. It is high time we replicate the model for the entire Sundarbans." Tapasi Mistri, who came to Rajat Jubilee health camp from her island village Patharpara with her three-year-old son Rum, said, "We felt helpless when my son had prolonged diarrhoea after Remal hit the island. This camp has come as a blessing."
Among the beneficiaries is Saraswati Aulia, a 47-year-old tiger widow, who consulted a registered doctor for the first time to get treatment for her post-Remal health complications. Similarly, Renuka Mondal, a 60-year-old tiger widow, said: "The medicines eased my knee pain, apart from skin rashes from prolonged exposure to saline water." Juthika Mondal (19) had a high-risk pregnancy with a history of several premature deliveries. "The health camp prescribed essential medications and I successfully delivered a healthy baby."
Unicef Bengal chief Monjur Hossain said, "This initiative lays the groundwork for empowering communities with the knowledge, infrastructure, and services."