Between 2022 and 2024, Sunnambatti village in Dummugudem Mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telengana faced relentless floods that submerged homes, devastated and displaced lives and disrupted the normality. Amongst its many wreckages, people were futher exposed to water-borne diseases, and one among many affected by the floods was *Mrs. E. Kotamma*, a 38-year-old differently-abled woman.
Mrs. Kotamma, her husband, and their two children lived a modest life, relying on daily earnings from fishing in the Godavari River and a small kirana shop she managed. The floods, however, uprooted their village, forcing all 288 residents into a relief camp 4 kilometers away. Along with their neighbours, they lost access to safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, exposing the community to heightened risks of waterborne diseases, further escalating the vulnerabilities.
To alleviate the situation EFICOR, in collaboration with UNICEF through the *SHWETA Project*, intervened with critical WASH support. Volunteers conducted awareness sessions in the relief camp, focusing on the dangers of open defecation and the importance of hygiene. Mrs. Kotamma was deeply affected by the trainings and took on the responsibility of educating her community. Whether teaching children about handwashing or demonstrating proper water storage techniques, Mrs. Kotamma became a beacon of change.
“Healthy life is disease-free and happy life,” – Mrs Kotamma
Upon returning to their flood-ravaged village, the residents, armed with EFICOR-provided hygiene kits, began implementing the practices they had learned. Thanks to Mrs. Kotamma’s advocacy and the support of other women in her Self-Help Group, the community saw significant improvements. Open defecation practices ceased, and proper hygiene became a norm. Through SHWETA project we were able to provide Safe water storage and regular handwashing, which reduced the incidence of waterborne illnesses. However, more importantly, as SHG member, Mrs. Kotamma exemplified how women can lead disaster recovery efforts.
Today, Sunnambatti is not just a village that has recovered from floods—it is a community that thrives on the principles of hygiene and health awareness. While timely intervention during diasters are the first step towards relief, community engagement and women’s leadership plays, and helping build resilience are crucial to overcome challenges.
© 2022 EFICOR. All Rights Reserved. Site by NWD.
