Bihar is India’s most flood-prone State, with 76% of the population in the North Bihar living under the recurring threat of flood devastation. Floods in Bihar are a recurring disaster which on an annual basis destroys thousands of human lives apart from livestock and assets worth millions.  2017 Floods affected 19 districts of North Bihar. Around 1.71 crore people are hit by the floods. This flood was result of sudden increase in water discharge through rivers- Gandak, Burhi Gandak and Bagmati , Kamla, Kosi and Mahananda- due to heavy rain in the catchment areas of the    major rivers of north Bihar in Nepal.

CAMILLIAN TASK FORCE (CTF) decided to collaborate with CARITAS INDIA to help the victims of Flood-hit districts  of Bihar , namely, Bettiah and Muzaffarpur with 27 CTF member to extent our hands to the suffering brother and sisters in Bihar. Fr. Baby Ellickal MI, Provincial Superior and CTF National Director made an Appeal for Bihar Flood Disaster Medical Relief Camps. Few religious congregations, Lay Doctors, joined their hands with us in support of this mission. All the CTF volunteers were summoned immediately to begin the task.

PREPARATION MEETING

On 3rd September 2017 CTF volunteers were gathered in Camillian Pastoral Health   Centre at 5.30 pm. Novices led the whole group into prayer. After the prayer Fr. Jaison welcomed everyone. He welcomed Fr. Baby Ellickal, the National Director of CTF who initiated the CTF mission in various disaster-hit places. He welcomed Fr. Teji who is the Coordinator of the Bihar Mission 2017 who was present and active in all the CTF missions. He also welcomed all gathered, for their immediate response for the mission. Fr. Baby Ellickal welcomed Fr. Jaison who is the National Co-ordinator of CTF. Fr. Baby Ellickal said about the need to work as a single unit. Fr. Provincial appreciated all for their commitment especially Caritas India who are supporting us for this relief mission. Fr. Provincial narrated about the flood happens in Bihar . It is the 3rd poorest states in India. Some of the people in Bihar like to have flood to take personal advantages, economic support from the Government.  But since majority are poor and deserve our help there is a great need for us to take a step forward for those suffering. To help people in suffering is not our profession as some of the agencies do but its our life, vocation and a chance to be witnesses for the merciful love of Christ. We not only heal the people just by giving medicines but its all because of our presence. Our touch can make difference in the lives of the people. After which Fr. Teji explain about CTF, its Mission and Vision, Directives and Objectives. He also shared his CTF experience in Uttarakhand, Kashmir and Nepal. After that Bro. Dr. Thomas instructed on the medical records and self-prevention from sicknesses. Dr. Surekha also suggested the way and means to protect from the sicknesses. At the end of the meeting all the CTF Bihar Mission Members were provided with CTF T-shirts, ID cards, caps and bags for the relief mission. After the meeting we had a photo session. At 7.40 pm we gathered in the Chapel to worship the Eucharistic Lord beginning our relief mission with God’s blessings and the day ended with dinner.

4th September 2017 ,MONDAY

We started our day with Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr. Baby Ellickal the provincial. At 8.30 we departed from Bangalore having boarded the plane. At 11 am we reached at Patna airport. From there we reached Sewa Kendra a Social Work Centre run by ArchDiocese of Patna in Kurji, at 11.30 am.

We had a meeting at 6.30 pm with the staff of CARITAS – India. The meeting was all about conveying the important information and instructions. Fr. Teji read out the names of all the members divided into four groups. The respective programme officers of the four teams are: Fr. Sojan, Fr. Biju, Fr. Teji and Fr. Sunil. All were asked to be ready with all the necessary items for the medical camp. There was a change in the mission place, instead of going to Muzaffarpur , CARITAS requested us to go to Purnea, since there was a great need. Fr. Teji informed about the two places where we are about to go namely: Purnea and Battiah. The first and the third groups would go to Battiah and the second and the fourth groups to Purnea. All were asked to be prudent in dealing with the people who are affected. The minor cases could be taken care by nurses and  the doctors would take care of the major cases. The responsibilities also were divided. All the teams have to take patient’s record books, medicines, medicine covers, etc. Fr. Teji reminded everyone to contact with the group leaders in case of any necessity..  The doubts of the doctors and the other members were clarified.  After supper we divided the necessary things into four groups

Day – 2 , 5th September, 2017

We began our day with Eucharistic Celebration Presided over by Fr. Sojan M I.  We commemorated the feast of St. Theresa of Kolkatta. Fr. Sojan emphasised the words of  St. Theresa of Kolkatta, “ we do no great things, but small things with great love”. At 9.30 an urgent meeting was called and informed that the group going to Purnea is postponed to tomorrow that is 6th September, 2017.  As already planned group 1 & 3 consist of 12 members stated their journey towards Battiah in three vehicles at 10 am. Everyone greeted each other before we depart to our mission places. On the way CTF members going to Battiah  had  the chance to visit  Prabhatara snake Bite Health Centre. The speciality of this place is so many people who are bitten by snakes come here to get treatment. It was surprising to know that even patients came from Patna Medical College. Around 4000 snake bite cases were dealt in last 4 months. CTF Member reached the destination at 7:30 pm. All were given accommodation in Sewa Kendra, Diocese’s Social Work Centre. Dr. Mithun, who has been there in Battiah for a week to help the people with medication stated his experience. He said about Bihar and what is happening with the government in response to the flood .There is no case of Malaria and Kala Azar, fever or any type of serious communicable diseases. He added that Nepal Government had informed Bihar that they would open canals before 20 days. In spite  of the information the Government did not do anything for the prevention of the flood. It resulted in washing away many villages. The medicines have not reached Bettiah and it is expected to reach tomorrow. The place of medical camps will be decided tomorrow after the meeting with the Director of the social service Centre of the Diocese