Disaster Response

Disasters impact on entire communities. The immediate effects include loss of life and damage to property and infrastructure, with the survivors traumatized by the experience, uncertain of the future and less able to provide for their own welfare, at least in the short term. More than likely, they are left without adequate shelter, food, water and other necessities to sustain life. Rapid action is required to prevent further loss of life. OFINS started its disaster relief initiative in the year 2000. We try our best to stand by the effective people directly or indirectly. We provide direct fund contribution to rehabilitation of effective people’s life and other immediate requirements of cloths, medicine, food and others personal care supplies etc.

Ichamati Flood Relief 2020

After 2007, due to heavy rainfall Ichamati river has flooded again many villages in Gaighata Block, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Thousands of people get affected and several hundred people are forced to inhabit relief camps. Cattles are living with water, some of them are lost their life. Hundreds of acre crop fields are under 4 to 5 feet water, resulting main earning source has stopped for almost all families. In this massive disaster, Our Friends In Need Society took the initiative for a Flood Relief Drive which has been organized in the affected area as in Bilchaturia village under Gaighata Block. In this Flood Relief Drive, OFINS has arranged meals for over 300 people, distributed a Hygiene Kit (containing- Bleaching Powder, Soap, Tooth paste, ORS, Sanitary Pads, Band-aid & Mask) to over 100 families along with Tarpaulin for temporary shelter, arranged a ‘Free Health Check-Up Camp’ where almost 100 patients got their treatment with free Medicine and organized a ‘Health & Hygiene Awareness Workshop’ for their daily life.

Yaas Cyclone Relief, W.B 2021

The Sundarban and its costal areas has been hit with a severe cyclone Yaas on 26th May 2021. For people in the ecologically fragile Sunderbans, life revolves around battling high tides daily and cyclones regularly. But every cyclone throws up new challenges to the Sunderbans and its inhabitants — something the people had not imagined. In West Bengal Purba Medinipur, coastal part of North & South 24 parganas people are badly affected specially now these areas are flooded. Thousands of people are homeless, They are fighting against hunger & maintaining hygiene in this covid pandemic situation. In this distressed condition we have organized Yaas Relief Drive at Sundarban (Village Parts of - Tushkhali, Atapur, Manipur, Dhoniyakhali, Puinjola) on 6th June, 2021. We covered 600 people by providing them Grocery Items, dry foods, hygiene materials including sanitary pads, mask and sanitizer.

Nepal Earthquake Relief 2015

An earthquakestruck Nepal on 25 April 2015.  It was the most powerful earthquake to strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake. Many thousands of people died as a result, with most casualties reported in Nepal, including on Mount Everest, and adjoining areas of India, China, and Bangladesh.

Within minutes of the earthquake, the Government of India, via the Indian Armed Forces, initiated Operation Maitri, created humanitarian missions with the primary objective of conducting relief and rescue operations in Nepal. Many countries and organizations have donated, which has been the largest bilateral aid contributor.

OFINS stand by the people of Nepal and to rebuild their life we have donated 10,200/- to Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund through Nepal Foreign Ministry office in Kolkata.

Covid Relief

Our world has undergone a crisis due to COVID-19. The outbreak of coronavirus in India and continued lockdown it is a difficult time for everyone. Humanity is fighting one of its biggest crisis, and it’s our time to come together and support each other. People surviving on daily wages were the most impacted as they have no opportunity to earn amid lockdown and to add to it, no savings, making it worse for them. The OFINS has been on ground since early April and putting efforts to minimize the impact that this lockdown as well as others support to the covid patient and their families. Soon after the covid case increase and the lockdown extended, OFINS pressed upon to fulfilling immediate needs of the community. We have served food and grocery to those people who are struggling to survive during lockdown. We have taken necessary step to fight and provide support to society like Grocery distribution, Mask, Sanitizer & Sanitary Pad distribution, Oxygen Support, Covid Help desk, Mobile dispensary and Grocery & Medicine delivery service, community kitchen etc. We received support from many individuals.