(Monday 24 June 2013, New Delhi) As rescue and relief efforts continue following floods in Uttarakhand in India, Debabrat Patra, ActionAid’s regional manager for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, said:
“This was just the beginning of the monsoon season. The rains have already started again and are hindering search and rescue operations.
“Most aid agencies are basing themselves in Dehradun, the closest accessible city, to coordinate relief efforts.
“ActionAid’s partners are in Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag & Chamoli, but we will soon be moving deeper into the flood hit region, especially the hard to reach remote areas. Our biggest challenge right now is road safety. Many roads have simply disappeared, cutting off communities who are in desperate need of help.
“There is no doubt in our mind that the process of rehabilitation will be a long one. The rebuilding of roads, bridges and houses will take years.”
-ENDS-
For interviews and more information contact:
(In Delhi) Susan Thomas on susan.thomas@actionaid.org | +91 9560631119
(In London) Natalie Curtis +44 (0) 203 122 0641 | Natalie.Curtis@actionaid.org