The project is proposed in Damin and Parsi Parlo in the Kurung Kumey district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh (North East India). NEICORD, funded by World Relief Canada/Canadian Foodgrains Bank was able to intervene into the development of the community in a small way. The ‘gregarious flowering in bamboo’ locally called Bonglik Talik (or ‘Mautam’ in other states) has occurred in the Kurung Kumey district. The worst affected due to the rat menace were the common people who are innocent farmers solely dependent on cultivation. And because of the rat menace the standing paddy crops which were ready for harvesting and granaries were destroyed. So the relief aid was given to 4000 beneficiaries where each HH received 100 kg rice, 4 kg salt and also 20 kg paddy seed for only 2500 most needy farmers. 

At the start of this year on 2^nd January the conflict started between the two communities- Garo and Rabha at Mendipathar in East Garo Hills under the state of Meghalaya and Dudnai in the Lower state of Assam (North East India.) The core problem was that the Rabha community demanded for “Rabha Hasong” – i.e, Rabha Land. The magnitude of the violence displaced 50,000 people officially, and 500 burnt down houses according to “Shillong Times” the local Newspaper report. The granaries were especially targeted which is livelihood for the tribal. Along with the granaries live stocks were looted and destroyed. In spite of the big number of population displaced NEICORD’s partner churches from both the Garo and Rabha along with the community suggested that it would be appropriate to help the neediest who have lost their houses, belongings and also granary, so the relief aid was approved for 2000 needy families. At this time of need NEICORD supported by its donor Canadian Foodgrains Bank- World Relief Canada was able to  provided relief package to the each needy family with 50kg rice, 4kg lentils, ¼ kg turmeric, 1kg salt and 2ltr oil. We are grateful to our donor for their timely support. God bless them.

Bamboo flowering had occurred in parts of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland and this natural phenomenon has been recorded to have happened in 1862, 1881, 1911-12 and 1959 which resulted in severe famine. The flowering of one particular species of bamboo - Melocanna baccifera, locally known as mautak - has set in motion the frightening spiral that happens every 48 years in the states. The people of Tipaimukh called it “the return of horror or the flower of death”. The bamboo flower bears fruit which serves to increase the reproductive capabilities of rats that feed on it. The hardship faced by these villagers due to bamboo flowering can be gauge from the tale of the farmers and the women folks who are clueless to what they will do in coming days to feed the family. One man remarked, “Only God knows what is in store for us….” NEICORD conducted a Food-For-Work (FFW) program and the beneficiaries are mostly subsistence level farmers (shifting cultivators), daily laborers, small businessmen, woodcutters and charcoal makers. Most of them living hand to mouth. NEICORD in partnership with its Church partners responded to the bamboo flowering famine (Mautam) with the support of its donor World Relief Canada/Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

A communal tension flared up between the Muslims and the indigenous people of Assam, people killing each other, burning down houses and granaries. In the 3^rd October 2008, it was learned that more than 33 people died and 20 villages burnt down and 80,000 people taking shelter in relief camps as per the Govt. report. NEICORD in partnership with Christian Coordination Committee (formed by the Christian communities regardless of denominations) had done a relief program and we are very much thankful for their cooperation and support throughout the relief operation. The relief package consists of children food and clothing, blanket and shawl for the victims residing in the temporary camps. A total of 1200 families received the relief package. We are grateful to our donor Tearfund UK for their support to help meet the immediate need of the people who are affected. May God bless them richly.

 

MAJULI FLOOD RELIEF, 2008

Majuli, a sub-division of Jorhat district was among the worst flood affected areas of the 20 districts of Assam. The entire sub-division was inundated and people had to deal with the flood water for days. crops and cattle were also greatly damaged and people were struggling for a day’s meal. 

NEICORD in partnership with North Bank Baptist Churches Association (NBBCA) had done a relief program by providing 20 Quintals of rice and 2000 kgs of dal to more than 3000 households. We are very thankful to our donor, Tear fund UK, who have supported us to carry out this relief successfully. May they be richly blessed!

Devastating flood of June 2008, in Assam besides causing misery to over eight lakhs of people, have taken the lives of many. North Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam are some of the worst affected areas. These districts and parts of Arunachal Pradesh have been totally cut off from the rest of the country following washing away of a portion of National Highway-52 by flood water.

NEICORD has decided to work in North Lakhimpur, Assam with North Bank Baptist Churches Association (NBBCA) and its Associate partner, Lakhimpur Baptist Christian Association (LBCA), with the fund we received from our donors Tearfund UK and Christian Reform World Relief Canada (CRWRC). We are ever so grateful to them for their love, care and support. God bless them!

On 21^st April 2008, 49 families consisting of 165 members, young and old, and also school going children were driven out of their ancestral village, Changki, now sheltering in a make shift home at Mokokchung town play ground. NEICORD distributed 50 kgs of rice to all families on 21 June 2008. We thank Rev O Alem, Executive Secretary, Ao Association for extending help towards the relief program. May the good Lord bless him!

NEICORD extending help to the fire victims at Master and D colony, Dimapur, Nagaland with the help of Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship and distributing mosquito nets to all the fire victims on 19^th June 2008. NEICORD is so grateful to Pastors’ Fellowship for their commitment and sacrificial contribution during distribution to the needy. God bless you all.

Due to incessant rainfall during July 2007, the flood had affected more than 5 million people in Assam alone and as much as, 6,200 people in the 91 villages in West Garo Hills in Meghalaya. 13 out of 27 districts in Assam were affected. The second phase flood still continues which has inundated vast areas of human habitation and crops.

Our Partners - Garo Baptist Convention (GBC), Goalpara Boro Baptist Church Association (GBBCA) and Boro Baptist Convention (BBC), with their volunteers played a key role. Their commitment and sacrificial contributions impacted the relief operations in many ways. We are grateful to our donors Tearfund UK, TEAR Australia and Hilfe Fur Bruder for all the funds they had provided for the flood affected people. God Bless them!!!

 

MIZORAM RELIEF, 2006

KARBI RELIEF, 2005

NORTH EAST FLOOD RELIEF, 2004

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