Revisiting Uttarakhand – rebuilding lives two years on from the devastating floods
News
In June 2013, the North Indian state of Uttarakhand was devastated by flash flooding, in the country’s worst natural disaster since the 2004 tsunami.
At the time our disaster management team quickly responded, to help protect animals, and the people who rely on them, in the majorly affected Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand.
Since then we have working with local authorities, communities and people, to help them rebuild their lives. And, to ensure local people are better prepared to protect their animals, and themselves, should disaster strike again.
Livestock across villages are now better protected, thanks to safe shelters, specially constructed to keep animals protected in emergencies.
The planting of fodder tree saplings is ensuring, that if disaster strikes again, local people will have an adequate food supply for their livestock.
The establishment of regular training workshops and health camps in the district, is helping local farmers, once struggling to manage their animals and hesitant to seek veterinary help, to grow in confidence to better rear, manage and protect their animals.
We are continuing to develop education materials, and organise regular workshops, to raise awareness on the importance of animal welfare during disasters. To assist local people to help their animals when the worst happens.
Going forward, we are continuing to lobby for animal welfare to be included in the governments disaster management planning. And, we will continue to work alongside local people, to help them be fully prepared to help their animals in disasters.