Project Duration: 45 days | Start Date: 12 December 2022 (Date of fire incident and immediate response)

Geographical Coverage: Upper Sonowal Village, Kamalabari Development Block, Majuli District, Assam

Project Supported By: Start Network

Project Summary:

Immediate humanitarian assistance provided by NEADS to 8 households affected by a major fire in Upper Sonowal village, Majuli district. The intervention supported 37 individuals who lost homes, essential items, documents, and agricultural assets. NEADS conducted rapid needs assessment and coordinated with district authorities to deliver dry rations, dignity/WASH kits, shelter materials, educational kits, and livelihood restoration support. The project aimed to reduce immediate suffering, restore basic living conditions and strengthen public health and hygiene awareness among vulnerable families, particularly women and children.

Key Objectives of the Humanitarian Assistance Provided By NEADS:

• Address specific gender needs of affected families by providing dignity and hygiene kits.
• Provide essential dry ration support to 8 households for 45–75 days.
• Raise awareness and promote hygiene practices to prevent public health issues among the affected population.

Additional objectives the Humanitarian Assistance Provided By NEADS included:

• Restoration of shelter through NFI and shelter kits
• Support for children’s education
• Early recovery and livelihood restoration through mason kits and yarn support
• Strengthening linkages with local administration for mainstreaming assistance

Target Community / Beneficiaries:

• Direct Beneficiaries:
  • 8 households (37 individuals) severely affected by the fire outbreak
• Primary Groups Reached:
  • Women (including reproductive-age women)
  • Children and students
  • Disaster-affected families
  • Vulnerable and landless agricultural labourers
  • Local masons and weavers
• Stakeholders Involved:
  • District Administration
  • DDMA
  • Community-based institutions and volunteers

Major Activities of the Humanitarian Assistance Provided By NEADS:

• Rapid needs assessment and coordination with DDMA and local authorities.
• Distribution of dry ration kits to 8 affected households (plus 2 additional vulnerable households).
• Distribution of dignity/WASH kits to women and girls.
• Provision of NFI and shelter kits (tarpaulin, bedsheets, CGI sheets, mosquito nets, utensils, etc.).
• Educational support kits for students who lost books and materials.
• Distribution of mason kits for rapid shelter restoration and livelihood support.
• Yarn distribution to weavers for livelihood recovery.
• Hygiene promotion and sensitization activities.
• Continuous engagement with community institutions and local administration.

Key Achievements / Outcomes:

• All 8 affected households received comprehensive humanitarian relief (dry rations, dignity kits, shelter materials, and educational support) promptly and efficiently.
• Quality and usefulness of distributed items were rated highly by beneficiaries, ensuring immediate restoration of living conditions and dignity.
• Enhanced community participation, strengthened coordination with authorities, and ensured smooth, transparent, and timely distribution processes.

Additional outcomes:

• Improved hygiene awareness among women and families
• Restored educational continuity for affected children
• Supported early livelihood recovery for masons and weavers
• Positive community feedback and strengthened trust in NEADS’ emergency response