Amid the devastating flood situation in Assam, Voice of Environment (VoE), a scientific and environmental organisation, has stepped forward with a community-driven relief initiative to support families severely affected by the floods in Sivasagar district.
The small but meaningful relief drive focused on providing immediate humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities facing disrupted livelihoods, damaged homes and limited access to essential supplies.
Led by Lakhi Narayan Deuri, Mcdonald Choudhury and Pallabi Saikia, the VoE team reached the Nepali Khuti area and Santok village, where essential grocery items, drinking-water support materials, basic life-sustaining supplies, clothing and fodder for livestock were distributed among affected families.
The relief effort was subsequently extended to Nowjan village, where another VoE team, led by environmentalist Moharana Choudhury and Prasanta Mech, interacted with flood-affected residents, distributed essential materials and highlighted the importance of health, hygiene and safe practices during and after floods.
Reaching the worst-hit areas
The team also attempted to reach 2 No. Panbecha Saporichuk, one of the severely flood-affected areas where floodwaters continue to submerge large parts of the locality.
Led by Bitu Gogoi and other volunteers, the team distributed essential items, visited homes and schools and interacted directly with local residents to understand the challenges they were facing.
To obtain a clearer picture of the ground situation, VoE also undertook a drone survey and visual documentation exercise, led by Lakhi Narayan Deuri and other members of the team. The initiative aimed to understand the real-time flood situation and identify emerging environmental and humanitarian challenges.
Relief beyond material support
For VoE, the initiative was not limited to distributing relief materials. Volunteers spent time with residents to understand their concerns relating to food security, shelter, health and post-flood challenges.
The team also encouraged affected people to remain mentally strong and shared awareness about the dos and don’ts during and after floods, including basic health, hygiene and environmental safety measures.
These interactions provided the organisation with a better understanding of the realities on the ground while helping identify areas where future capacity-building, awareness and disaster-preparedness programmes may be required.
A collective effort
VoE acknowledged the contribution of its volunteers, local communities, supporters and well-wishers whose assistance in the form of materials, motivation and voluntary service helped make the relief initiative possible.
Environmentalist Moharana Choudhury emphasised that community participation is essential during natural disasters, particularly when affected communities require both immediate relief and long-term support.
The organisation reiterated its commitment to environmental responsibility, humanitarian service and community welfare, stating that it will continue to stand beside disaster-affected populations and work towards sustainable support systems for vulnerable regions.
The Sivasagar initiative may have been a small effort, but for families facing the uncertainty of floodwaters, every packet of food, every essential item, every helping hand and every word of encouragement can make a difference.
Join hands. Together, we can make the difference.
