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The first leg of food-grain distribution was completed in July 2004. About 100 adivasi families in Maharshtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh whose lands have been in submergence since the past few years, received grains to last them the 3 monsoon months. The second leg of distribution will be done to more families based on the extent of this years flooding due to the increased height of the dam, after assessing the crop loss from August onwards. Tarpaulin plastic sheets are being distributed to those in need of shelter and whose homes are washed away.

Sept 2005: Hundreds of families consisting of thousands of people who have been displaced without rehabilitation and whose lands are under submergence for several years now, have taken food grain relief via the Jansahyog program in 2004 and 2005. All the money raised until August 2005 via this web-site has been sent to India. Through these monsoon months the Jansahyog food grain relief continues with your support. Please continue to donate generously through this site. The status of the people getting food grains since Oct 2004 will be posted once the post-monsoon relief is done this year.

Meanwhile in March 2005 the Supreme Court of India has finally acknowledged the people's plight and has severely criticized the governments for not rehabilitating the adivasi families while raising the Sardar Sarovar dam's height up to 110 metres in 2004. It has ordered immediate rehabilitation of temporarily and permanently affected families by giving alternate agricultural land. It has said that the dam cannot be raised any further until the rehabilitation is completed. Due to the court ruling, the dam which was awaiting NCA's nod to go up to 120 Meters in May 2005, has been stayed at 110 metres this year. Thus the effect of submergence is expected to be similar to last year.

We welcome the Supreme Court's ruling and hope that the 30,000 remaining families (out of a total of 45,000 families whose houses and/or lands are being submerged) still living in the Narmada valley, are rehabilitated before the dam goes upto 120 metres, as per the Supreme Court's orders.

Newspaper article on SC ruling: Click here
Detailed report on SC ruling: Click here

July 2005 Update:

Since July 2004 we have delivered relief to 370 adivasi families - 25 families from Gujarat, 87 from M.P. and 258 from Maharashtra who would not have been able to survive without peoples' support. The Narmada Nav Nirman Abhiyan and the Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Centre (BSFC) have worked in close co-operation and co-ordination to ensure that the Jan Sahyog programme worked effectively.
2 Quintals (200 Kg) of Makkai ( corn ) or 1 Quintal Makkai and 1 Quintal Jowar were supplied to each of these families, depending on availability / cost/ preference in that area. Also, 20 Kgs. Dal, 1 Kg. Chilli powder and 1 Kg. salt were provided. 177 of these families needed a second round of relief during the year, the rest managed with one round of help from us.
The cost of food per round of relief, per family, comes to approximately Rs 2,500 /-, including transport.
AID thanks the people who have supported the Jansahyog Program. We need to provide food grains to over 300 families this year as well. Some families need shelters. Your donations to the Jansahyog program are urgently needed and can be made through this site . AID directly works with BSFC to provide Jansahyog relief.

Oct 2004 Report [pdf]

October 2004:
Two rounds of grain distribution are over now. Between July 14th and 23rd , the first round of grain distribution was done to 98 families of which 13 families were from Alirajpur tehsil, Jhabua district, M.P., 13 from Akrani tehsil and 72 families from Akkalkuva tehsil, both Nandurbar district, Maharashtra. In August 2004 another 60 families were covered in Akkalkuva and Akrani tehsils in Maharashtra. The kinds of grains distributed include Makkai, Jowar, Urad, Chana and Chawali.

Additionally, 100 plastic sheets/ tarpaulin were distributed to those families whose houses were severely damaged in the rains and who needed shelter from the onslaught of heavy rains.

Challenges

The process of distribution is still in progress. Difficulties in transporting the grains in the Valley and shortage of human resources are some of the hurdles we need to overcome soon. A definite assurance of financial support will help us to reach out to all those who are severely affected. That will be also be a gesture from our part that we respect their determination to struggle.

Appeal

We appeal you to be a part of Jansahayog. We also appeal to you to pass on the message and introduce your friends also to Jansahayog. Rs. 5000 to sustain a family for 6 months is affordable for many families.

--Pervin Jehangir & Suhas Kolhekar, (Narmada Nav Nirman Abhiyan & Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Centre)

"Slideshow of Jansahyog photos taken by Dr Suhas Kohlekar of Pune."

Click here to view slideshow.