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Uttarakhand Floods 2013

Joint Food Security and Livelihoods Assessment Report

State Inter Agency Group

Uttarakhand

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Acknowledgements On behalf of all the participating agencies in assessment, Sphere India, Dan Church Aid and CASA would like to acknowledge the valuable guidance and support of the National Government and State government of Uttarakhand. The assessment was undertaken in close collaboration with the Government, State IAG and the Sphere sub-committee on Food Security leading to key findings and recommended actions post the aftermath of Uttarakhand deluge. The agencies also thank local NGO partners/stakeholders, local self government and community/families for their time and contribution in responding to questions and providing other information during assessments. Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................................... 1. Executive Summary

2. Objectives of assessment

3. Assessment methodology

4. Sampling data/ Assessment area/ locations

5. Orientation of Assessment team/agencies 6. Local level coordination

7. Limitation of assessment

8. Analysis of findings of assessment- Livelihood and Food security

9. Recommendations- medium and long-term

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Executive summary Joint Food security and livelihood Assessment was led by Dan Church Aid to assess the food security and nutrition situation and needs of most excluded disaster affected communities affected by Uttarakhand floods and landslides in the target districts of Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Tehri.

The members of the joint assessment were Dan Church Aid, CASA and Sphere India. Focus group discussions, interviews, and stakeholder’s consultation were held on the aspects pertaining to food security through a questionnaire developed and translated in local language by assessing organizations. During the survey, the assessment team conducted focus group discussions covering 14 villages in 8 blocks in 5 districts of Uttarakhand.

Map 1: Villages Assessed in Uttarakhand, 2013

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The key findings and recommendations as agreed by organizations are: Food and livelihood sources affected • Household food security of the flood/land slide affected families is based on tourism, animal

husbandry, agriculture, horticulture and daily wage.

• Tourism in terms of transport of pilgrims/tourists to pilgrimage spots/temples has been worst affected thus impacting on immediate loss of income and livelihood source.

• Due to flood and heavy landslides, most of the household have lost their livestock or they were forced to sell them to repair houses. Fodder scarcity increased vulnerability of the poor households to keep their remaining cattle alive.

• Agriculture has been severely affected, canal system has been damaged. The perishable produce like vegetable and fruits were difficult to transport as roads were blocked. Consequently, the small farmers were either forced to sell their produce on a very low price or not able to sell it at all. This affected household income and purchasing power of the affected households.

• People have lost their traditional habit of storing food grains for whole year. Now they are accustomed to buy food grains (5-10 Kg) according to day today needs. Consequently, people did not have household storage facility and ration was available in most of the households for maximum 15-30 days.

• Access and availability of food is scarce. Markets have been not so-functional and it’s varied in different locations. Supply of food through public distribution system is also affected. There is huge shortage of cooking fuel and utensils to cook food. Affordability of food due to increased prices is a major issue.

• As supply has been disrupted from low land, price of food commodities gone up. It has consumed most of the saving of the vulnerable households.

Disrupted road connectivity

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Government services

• People have received compensation from the government e.g. Rs 15000/- each for maximum two buffalos, Rs. 3000/- for goat, and Rs. 15000/- for mule. However, this amount is not sufficient to buy same quantity of livestock. People were not aware of loan facilities to re-establish their household economy.

• Government services that provide employment to the communities were suspended due to rainy season. Consequently people were not getting benefits of NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). There was no initiative from Local self government/ Panchayat to engage people in NREGA for cleaning debris or any other construction work.

• Public distribution systems /shops were closed as food stock was not available and supply of ration from low land was not possible as roads were damaged.

Impact on most vulnerable households

• Scarcity of land is a big issue as a lot of land has been washed away by floods and an equal proportion of land is still under the threat of landslides and hence allocation of land for all displaced is a critical issue for rehabilitation. Availability of land is scarce and hence there’s a big issue around resettlement. Government would plan allocations for settlement and agriculture land. Amidst these conditions, the marginalized and excluded communities will be sidelined.

• Most of the land owned by Dalit community was not registered; therefore, compensation for land and rehabilitation of Dalit families will affect them. People are suffering with trauma due to loss of their house and land. People are forced to live outside their house due to heavy cracks fearing that house might fall any time. As people live in open tent, this has created threat of wild animals especially for children and old people. Further, people are catching different diseases i.e. conjunctivitis and dysentery.

• Families belonging to most excluded communities (SCs and Muslims) are not even able to get two square meals a day in the current scenario. Many families from SC community and other vulnerable groups including women and children have not received any relief support through government systems. To add to their misery, even the government agencies responsible for compiling the list of most affected families that need support, have ignored and surpassed them. With no income sources, inaccessible markets and rise of food prices, the situation of most vulnerable is almost hand to mouth. Women are the most vulnerable being left stranded in many locations without cash or income sources. Children continue to suffer in all these situations with no protection and safeguard for their food security.

Key recommendations

• Restore basic livelihood services i.e. NREGs to provide employment opportunities to people and develop their land and provide employment in reconstruction of houses.

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• Pro-active approach to supply food grains to the most vulnerable place. Ensure that food grains are available in PDS shops at least for 3 months.

• Conduct scientific geo-physical studies to understand root causes of unusual landslides in the area for long term development work.

• Conduct agro-ecological studies and provide basic infrastructure to promote horticulture, agriculture, and animal husbandry.

• Create storage facilities for perishable produce i.e. fruits, vegetables. • Develop well establish drainage systems for smooth passage of rain water.

• Use NREGs for DRR and preparedness.

• Land is an important means of livelihood and food security; therefore, the victims from Dalit and other vulnerable group should find priority in rehabilitation and development.

• Gram Sabha and Panchayats should come out with a comprehensive integrated plan to re-establish livelihood and food security of the affected households.

• Create cadre of DRR volunteers in each village to anticipate, prepare and respond to disaster.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………… Overall objective of assessment To assess the food security and nutrition situation and needs of most excluded disaster affected communities in the target districts of Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Tehri. Objectives of assessment

• Conduct a food security and nutrition assessment to understand past and present situation of disaster affected households and analyze immediate needs for 3-6 months and mid-term needs of 6-18 months.

• Ensure humanitarian agencies and government plan and design programmes and interventions for 3-6 months/ 6-18 months and beyond on Food security, nutrition and livelihoods.

• Findings of assessments and analytical report shared at all levels for usage in coordinated humanitarian support and government plans for disaster affected population in Uttarakhand.

Methodology of assessment Two sources of data were used: Field Data Collection and Secondary Data. The figure below outlines the tools used and the data expected from each technique.

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Sampling Strategy

This assessment will purposively sample geographic areas based on the districts, blocks and villages identified as being the most affected by the Phase I JNA. The assessment team visited villages that are most affected, worst affected, villages visited or not visited by different assessment missions.

District Level

o The assessment team covered all 5 most affected districts

Block / village level At the block level, the assessment considered the following criteria for undertaking sampling:

o Selection of the worst affected blocks o Assess the impact on food security and nutrition using assessment check list and

questionnaire. o Within villages, interview the households to understand the impact on focus areas as

mentioned in check list.

Table 1: The detailed list of villages covered in the study is as below Districts Block Villages Rudraprayag Agastmuni 2 villages- Banaiyari and

Chandrapuri

Uttarkashi Dunda 2 villages- Thandi and Sem

Chamoli

Josimath 2 villages- Pandukehswar and Debgram

Secondary Data: collected from external sources will provide a backdrop of reported

needs and context

Secondary data was collected from Rapid assessment reports of humanitarian organizations, UN agencies, IAG/ Sphere, local NGOs, State and central Government reports, District administration.

Target Areas: Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Tehri districts.

Field Data Collection: focused on collecting thematic data from the field through household surveys and key informant

interviews.

Trained teams visited each of the target districts following the sampling strategy outlined in

Section C.1 below. The teams comprised of the participating agencies member staff led by

district level team leaders. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted by assessment

team in the villages.

Target Areas: Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Tehri districts.

Means of Verification: Focus group discussions, key informant interviews

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Karanprayag 1 village- Sonali

Tharali 1 village- Benuali

Tehri Jaunpur( Thatur) 2 villages- Parodi and Chhenangaon

Pithoragarh Dharchula 2 villages- Marcha, Seepu,

Munsiyari 2 villages- Seraghat, Ghattabagad

Orientation of Assessment team/agencies Orientation of participating organizations/partners was conducted by Dan Church Aid team in CASA office, Dehradun on Aug 6, 2013. The assessment team comprising of almost 30 members in 5 districts were oriented on tools, techniques, check list and methodology of assessment. Time frame for assessment was agreed with detailed analysis of findings to be collated. The terms of reference, identification of villages and blocks and plans for assessment was discussed in detail and confirmed during the orientation.

Orientation of assessment team

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Local level coordination

CASA coordinated with all the humanitarian and local organizations responding to Uttarakhand floods. Inter Agency Group Dehradun coordinated on agencies response mapping to coordinate on thematic areas and avoid duplication of relief in same geographical area. Regular coordination meetings were held since the disaster. Coordination meetings have also been held at national level led by Sphere India. State Government is very much apprised of the responses by humanitarian agencies. Limitation of assessment Reach out to most vulnerable villages, time for focus group discussions and changing population due to livelihood and food insecurity were key limitations in conducting assessments. The survey focused on food and livelihood assessment, as nutrition and market assessment were done separately along with other sectoral assessments-shelter, water and sanitation, livestock. This report should be read in line with findings of other assessments that also detailed the loss to property and infrastructure. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Analysis of findings of assessment- Livelihood and Food Security In the study, focus group discussion was conducted in 14 villages, comprises of total 1497 households. The total population of 14 villages surveyed was 7741. Impact on local resources Uttarakhand floods completely devastated thousands of people and rendered an equal number homeless. Destruction was huge in terms of damage to houses and establishments (schools, shops, restaurants, hotels, and dhabas) and livestock (mules, horses and cattle). Apart from huge property loss and key assets by families including loss of agricultural land, most of the affected families lost their income/livelihood sources and crops including food stocks at home. Everything perished in the deluge including food stock, utensils and other utility items with hardly any time to save anything. The key earning sources dependent on mules to carry pilgrims and other tourists were the worst losses as many were drowned in mighty Mandakani River. With no alternative opportunities for earning and livelihood, many families have been struggling since the calamity stuck to earn money and buy food. With loss of livelihood sources, future seems grim even after four months of disaster.

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The local people in the affected areas have incurred huge property losses including loss of agricultural land and livestock. Most of the affected families lost their only source of income, mules, that were being used to ferry pilgrims to & fro from Kedarnath Shrine for which they would earn around Rs. 2400/- a day (to & fro trip). During the assessment, the families interviewed narrated heart breaking stories of encounter with the Mandakini river flood devastation and landslides that engulfed more than 15000 people on 15-16 June 2013. A sizeable number of affected families lost shops, livestock and agricultural land which was damaged or got washed away. Food stock available in households lasted for maximum 1-2 months post disaster and many families told stories about how they have been trying to venture into daily labour by travelling to Guptakashi 30 kms from Rudraprayag. However the earning was very limited ranging between Rs. 150/- to Rs. 250/- per day. Focus group discussions during assessment revealed that the affected families have currently no coping strategies for earning and hence are dependent on either government compensation/relief or support from NGOs. There have been reports of men migrating to other cities/states to earn daily labour.

Map 2: Most Affected Livelihood Groups

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Most affected vulnerable population/social groups Figure 1 depicts most affected social groups. In the survey area, most affected social group was SC i.e. 86%. Families belonging to most excluded communities (SCs and Muslims) are not even able to get two square meals a day in the current scenario. Many families from SC community and other vulnerable groups including women and children have not received relief support through government systems.

Figure 1: Most affected social groups (in percent)

Map 3: Most Affected Social Groups

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The most severely impact dalit communities have either been forgotten in the listing of the compensation or in many cases do not Most of the land owned by Dalit community was not registered; therefore, compensation for land and rehabilitation of Dalit families will affect them. People are suffering with trauma due to loss of their house and land. People are forced to live outside their house due to heavy cracks fearing that house might fall any time. As people live in open tent, this has created threat of wild animals especially for children and old people. Further, people are catching different diseases i.e. conjunctivitis and dysentery. Families belonging to most excluded communities (SCs and Muslims) are not even able to get two square meals a day in the current scenario. Many families from SC community and other vulnerable groups including women and children have not received any relief support through government systems. To add to their misery, even the government agencies responsible for compiling the list of most affected families that need support, have ignored and surpassed them. With no income sources, inaccessible markets and rise of food prices, the situation of most vulnerable is almost hand to mouth. Women are the most vulnerable being left stranded in many locations without cash or income sources. Children continue to suffer in all these situations with no protection and safeguard for their food security.

Number of cases of migration and trafficking has been reported during assessments where poorest communities in remote locations have been forced in want of cash and food. This raises a lot of issues around child abuse and protection of women who have already been under lot of psycho-social trauma.

Food stock availability

Balance food stock at households lasted for maximum 2 months which included the relief material provided by government and NGOs, and post this period, food insecurity loomed large. Figure 2 shows percentage of surveyed villages where household currently having food stock availability. In 29% villages, almost half of the household is having food stock availability. Some of the household is having food stock availability in 43% villages, while none of the household is having food stock availability in 29% villages surveyed.

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Figure 2: Percentage of villages with household currently having food stock availability

The affected families have rice/wheat and pulses but very few have other raw materials (salt, sugar, spices, cooking oil etc). Detail is presented in figure 3 regarding duration of food stock availability. 36% of the survey areas have availability of grain for 1- 2 & 3-4 weeks, whereas 50% of the villages have availability of pulses for 3-4 weeks. Availability of oils & fats is for less than 1 week in 58% of the households surveyed. 36% of the households don’t have any fruits & vegetables with them. Most of the households in the survey area faced shortage of utensils and fuel to cook food. Some of the affected families especially youth tried to venture into daily labour travelling to Guptakashi 30 kms away from Rudraprayag. However the earning is very limited ranging between Rs. 150/- to Rs. 250/- per day. Food supply has been disrupted due to lack of road connectivity. Government provided dry ration of 12 kg, initial compensation of INR 2700 (cash) and subsequently INR 5300 (cheque) for families who were displaced or have suffered house damage. Compensation of INR 100,000 for partially damaged houses and Rs.200,000 for fully damaged houses is not sufficient compared to the losses incurred. A compensation of INR 200,000 is announced for affected families whose houses have been washed away completely. However, as voiced by villagers, there is huge discrimination in enlisting of beneficiaries and receiving the compensation. Further, the government is not taking into cognizance partially damaged houses that are on the verge of collapsing any moment due to frequent landslides. NGOs and other private organizations were distributing food in the beginning. Affected families were by and large satisfied with initial food supply soon after disaster, but with no hope of future.

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Figure 3: Duration of Food stock availability

Access to food and non-food items The flash flood has swept away several roads including the highway leading to huge problems of connectivity. The existing roads have become weak because of continued landslides and rains. Because of poor or no connectivity, transportation of relief material has become a daunting task for government and humanitarian organizations. Most of the villages still remain disconnected to the outside world. The only way to reach villages is by walking alongside the river Mandakini or trekking through an extremely difficult mountainous terrain. As informed by villagers, accessibility to and affordability of food has been critical matter of concern. Firstly, the Public Distribution System (PDS) is not functional at most places and communities in remote areas are unable to reach out to functional markets. Secondly, In terms of affordability, food stocks within the villages which are cut off have reported reduced prices as it cannot be supplied in markets while the price of the same product in the outside local market has gone up. Since families have lost all utensils and fuel wood, even cooking the food is a challenge. In terms of loss of livelihood for families dependant on agricultural land, trees and orchard, impact is even more severe as the reports from ground do not mention of any compensation. Detail of survey analysis is displayed in figure 4. Only half of the surveyed villages have some sort of access to market, government authorities and food, whereas only 29% of the villages have access to AWW/MDM and PDS.

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Figure 4: Access to food and non- food items

Affordability of food by most excluded communities During assessments, many families (dalits and excluded) shared that with no regular income and loss of saved cash, they are not able to buy food products in market. These situations are in areas where market is functioning although not many food products are available and prices have gone up. However, to the contrary, for perishable items which cannot move out to market due to snapped connectivity, the prices have gone down with hardly people to buy. As compensation provided by government is due to be cashed where there are issues already, the plight of affected families Food consumption since disaster During the survey, many families reported that their daily food consumption has gone down considerably (reported by 58% of the surveyed villages) and nutritional intake has anyway suffered a lot. For families who do not cash in hand and no alterative livelihood sources in sight, they have started to stock food by reducing to one full meal a day. Families who lost their bread earners are the worst sufferers (single women, old aged, and children) who are dependent on ration provided by Government and NGOs. Details of food consumption since disaster is shown in figure 5.

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Figure 5: Food consumption since disaster

Livelihood sources affected The impact in terms of loss of livelihoods meant reviving of Agriculture and Tourism. Almost everybody used to depend on tourism in form of drivers, porters, cleaners, and waiters. Given the halt of tourism due to damaged roads that may take months to restore, people dependent on tourism have lost their income. Many people were under loans for start of next tourist season. Hence such loans cannot be repaid. Agriculture land near the river banks are also washed away by flood waters. This has led to severe impact on small and marginal farmers. Resettlement of families on secured land will be a big issue with government disallowing people to move into forest land in mountains. In absence of livelihood sources, men/youth are migrating to earn daily labour at the risk of life due to poor connectivity leaving behind women and family members in insecure and vulnerable state. The larger issues are around infrastructure development across Mandakini river basin and hydro-power projects in fragile mountains leading to severe destruction. Mule owners are the worst sufferers as there income has been grossly affected and over and above they had taken loans for start of next tourist season. Around 15000 mules died during the calamity and with no proper documentation of the same available, there are reports that such families have not been enlisted by Patwaris in the compensation and neither there is assurance from banks to waive off their loans. There is no alternative coping mechanism except to migrate.

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Impact on livelihood of most vulnerable groups Restoring livelihood sources is the major challenge. Main source of livelihood were activities associated with YATRA such as lodging, shops, cattle rearing, daily laborers, porters, forest product collection, marketing, petty business and transporting commodities using mule. Currently there is a total loss of all these avenues. Fresh land allocation needs policy decisions on land involving state and central government before normal livelihood is restored. Recommendations Based on field assessment and meetings with local partners and communities, the needs are critical for long-term livelihoods and food security. As basic means of survival are lost for many families and it does not look in sight that the same would be restored in another six months to one/two years, interventions on alternative livelihood (cash for work) for most excluded and discriminated groups, restoring community assets and infrastructure, resettlement of families in secured land in mountains and implementation of government schemes and package will be key. Seeing the scale of devastation and its impact on livelihoods and shelter, it will be a daunting task for government and humanitarian organizations to join hands in resettlement and restoration of normalcy in months and years to come. Immediate recommendations (3-6 months)

• Need /create opportunities for employment for the affected population through reconstruction of houses/ roads and provision of Cash for Work. Government can roll out recovery of infrastructure through MNREGA programme or National Rural Livelihood Mission.

• Loans taken by farmers can be waived given the circumstances. • Public distribution system needs to be strengthened especially in vulnerable pockets. • Introduction of high yield variety crops in the locality to boost production and bring back

economy.

• Promote upland farming/ potatoes to revive economy and food security. • Create storage facilities for perishable produce i.e. fruits, vegetables.

Medium term recommendations (6-18 months)

• Engage the community in reconstruction of roads, houses and infrastructure. • Skill building and awareness of communities on alternative livelihoods. • Provision of seeds for next agriculture season-targeted intervention. • Advocate and lobby for pro-people policies for recovery pertaining to livelihood and food

security. • Conduct scientific geo-physical studies to understand root causes of unusual landslides in

the area for long term development work and with focus on DRR and CCA.

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• Conduct agro-ecological studies and provide basic infrastructure to promote horticulture, agriculture, and animal husbandry.

• Develop well establish drainage systems for smooth passage of rain water. • Use NREGs for DRR and preparedness and ensure that strong community based

institutions are set up in villages for preparedness and risk reduction.

• Engage proactively with Gram Sabha and Panchayat to develop a comprehensive village development plan taking into consideration the risks and vulnerability of geography.

• Create cadre of DRR volunteers in each village to anticipate, prepare and respond to disaster and develop contingency plans in villages.

Devastation that needs our collective action

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