A human tragedy of unparalleled dimensions has unleashed itself on millions residing in the 7 North Bihar Districts of  Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnia, Khagaria and Katihar due to a breach in the in the eastern Kosi embankment upstream of the Indian border at Kushaha in neighbouring Nepal on the 18th of August, 2008. Following the breach, River Kosi, often referred to as the sorrow of Bihar, picked up the channel which it had abandoned over 200 years ago, drowning a number of towns and numerous villages coming in the way of its newly acquired course, affecting  more than 2 million people. Official call it as this flood as Katrina of Bihar.

BVHA, a well known organization working in Bihar for more than 40 years carries out every year flood relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood affected districts of Bihar through our member organization working in these districts. This year too we are carrying out the relief activities in these fifteen districts which are Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnia, Khagaria, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Patna, Bhagalpur, Samastipur, East Champaran, West Champaran, through our member/network organization, but they are not able to make relief available to the people as the demand is very much in comparison to available resources. Given the numbers affected, post evacuation their immediate survival needs would have to be addressed.  The relief camps set up by the government are grossly inadequate to the numbers affected. Most urgently, the food, clothing, shelter, drinking water and health needs of these hapless victims need to be addressed.

BVHA began its Relief Camp from 9th September 2008 with the support of Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), New Delhi at Saharsah District of Bihar.

BVHA with the support from CAIRN Energy India Pty Ltd, has started Five numbers Medical Relief Camp of fifteen days durations each at Purnea, Madhepura, Supaul and Saharsa District of Bihar from 20th September 2008 to 9th October 2008.
The details are as follows:

BVHA is also carrying out the Need Assessment for Future intervention in the flood affected areas. As per the outcome of the need assessment , BVHA will be carrying out Rehabilitation activities/programmes in the above mentioned flood affected areas.

BVHA has diagnosed and treated more than 40,000 flood victims in seven camps each of 15 days duration.