Assam group’s ‘Paani Campaign’ covers 3,000 flood-hit villagers

Following severe flooding in eastern Assam, a volunteer‑run organization called Jeevan Initiative launched a water‑focused relief effort known as the ‘Paani Campaign.’ The campaign aims to provide safe drinking water, repair damaged wells, and set up temporary storage facilities for communities that lost access to clean sources. By mobilising local volunteers and partnering with district authorities, the group has been able to serve approximately 3,000 flood‑hit villagers across the region.

The initiative’s current focus is on seven villages in Charaideo district, an area that experienced some of the highest water‑related damage during the monsoon season. Jeevan Initiative has taken responsibility for assessing water quality, distributing purification tablets, and constructing temporary rainwater harvesting structures. These actions are intended to reduce the risk of water‑borne diseases, which often rise after floods due to contamination of existing supplies.

The broader significance of the campaign lies in its community‑driven model, which complements government relief measures and highlights the importance of local participation in disaster response. Experts say that strengthening grassroots capacity to manage water resources can improve resilience against future flooding events, a recurring challenge for Assam. The organization plans to expand its activities to neighboring districts if additional funding becomes available.