Water and Sanitation

United Nations Special Report on Orissa Super Cyclone

Water and Sanitation

The extreme heat has resulted in the drying up of wells in some parts of Orissa. There is a water crisis in 36 villages in the affected districts. Water is being transported from nearby villages. There is an urgent need for Water surveillance. The UN has requested other donor agencies also to be fully associated in water surveillance exercise. Lutheran World Service and OXFAM and a few other agencies are actively involved.

Release of funds from government of India has helped the state government in accelerating the sinking of new tube wells in the affected districts.

At the request of government of Orissa, UNICEF has agreed to support the sinking of 9 deep tubewells (300 m) and 9 shallow tubewells (15-25 m) for all the Mamta Gruhas (Home for Widows and orphans).

Zip lock bags to carry water have been kept ready for distribution in the critical villages.