As the medical camp set up by Miles2Smile for the flood survivors of Assam provided relief to the families, the organisation picked up another project: to help the families who have lost their basic essentials in the flood, creating a peril in their lives and instilling a sense of uncertainty.
Our medical camp in Sumoni Gaon on the 6th of August drew our attention towards the crumbling households of the residents. The floodwater gushed into their houses and swept away the items in the house, making them battle for their survival.
Amidst standing in queue and seeking medical assistance, the residents expressed their grief. Already belonging to a family with roots in financial instability, the flood compounded it. Some had their houses washed away while others had them partially crumbled down. But in all the cases the floodwater bore witness to their loss.
Hearing their stories not only shook our hearts but also broke them into bits and pieces, like their lives, which were shattered in the floodwater. Their ordeal was heartaching to the degree that no language barrier could make it difficult to understand.
As the medical camp ended, we immediately arranged for basic items that help in running a house. These people had been living in a shelter created by them after the flood, but a house without basic essentials is bare bones.
Miles2Smile provided kitchen essentials, toiletries, bedding, and more to as many as 50 families. The items helped them make their structure a house, a place where they could rebuild their homes. The relief on their faces after receiving the items made us forget the tiredness that had shrouded us due to nocturnal nights and long working hours. It motivated us to bourgeon our work, and we promised 50 more families to provide them with basic essentials.
The move by Miles2Smile follows the deadly flood in Assam, which has claimed as many as 101 lives, shattered homes, snatched livelihoods, and instilled uncertainty. The situation is still grim, with affected areas facing the aftermath of it. The ongoing flood in Assam has affected several districts and forced people in inundated areas to relocate towards safer locations.
About Miles2Smile: The Miles2Smile Foundation, established six years ago, is committed to making a meaningful difference in marginalized communities across India. From responding to the crisis during the pandemic to its continuous work in education and advocacy, the foundation remains devoted to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. The foundation work for the survivors of mob lynching, communal violence, demolition, and hate crime, creating their lives better than their devastation.
