MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia will contribute $100,000 to the International Federation of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Appeal to help the victims of the recent
devastating floods in India, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Chris
Gallus announced today.
Mrs Gallus said the IFRC appeal seeks to provide immediate assistance in the
form of shelter, food, hygiene items and health services to 200,000 people
already affected by the disaster.
'The Australian Government is deeply concerned by the devastation and
disruption to life caused by flooding and landslides occurring in areas across
Northern India and Nepal. This region has been experiencing heavy rains since
last month', Mrs Gallus said.
The most affected states are Bihar and Assam in the East and North of India.
The death toll is over 570 with 324 deaths being recorded in Bihar alone. Fresh
areas were submerged this week following rains in the catchment areas of the
Noon River leaving more than one million people stranded.
The floods are having a major impact on the health of people in the affected
areas. In Assam, 100 people have died of encephalitis in the past two weeks.
This disease, which leads to swelling of the brain and is caused by mosquito
bites, is now affecting hundreds of people.
Mrs Gallus confirmed that Australia is also looking at the needs in Nepal
where there is a similar International Federation of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC) Appeal.
Reports from Nepal indicate floods and landslides have killed 422 people and
70 people are reported missing. Roads and highways have also been damaged in
different parts of the country, and diseases, such as encephalitis, typhoid and
dysentery, have been reported.
Media contact:
Craig Bildstien (Office of Mrs Gallus) 0407 604 437
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489