In response to the damages caused by cyclone Aila in May 2009, ACTED launched its first intervention in West Bengal to support affected populations in the restoration of their livelihoods. After assessing the needs of vulnerable populations and finalizing a partnership with an experienced local organization, Cash for Work activities started in May 2010. The assessment revealed, among others, that removing the saline mud from the ponds before the monsoon was a prerequisite for the resumption of agro-activities of Aila-affected people.

In 2009, the Aila cyclone seriously affected West-Bengal breaking dams, leaving agricultural lands flooded with salty water. The whole local economy (rice and vegetable production as well as fishing) was destroyed and local people were left with no ressources. In order to restart local income-generating activities, ACTED, with the support of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department, launched a vast program of de-salting of agricultural lands and ponds. In ten days of Cash for Work activities, 2,000 mandays have already been generated, and 4 ponds rehabilitated.

By allocating more than 50,000 mandays of Cash for Work, ACTED wants to achieve a double objective for Hingulganj Bock beneficiaries. Firstly, ponds will be cleaned before the monsoon and will be ready to stock fresh clean water once rains start. Fresh clean water in ponds is essential in the daily life of local populations as ponds are used for drinking water, cooking water, fishering activities as well as for personal hygiene and laundry. Secondly, the cash injected through the wages of working beneficiaries will also limit the migration of vulnerable populations, who were left with no other choice after the cyclone but to leave the district given the absence of employment opportunities.

“My husband went to Kolkata last December, my older son followed few weeks ago to earn some money before the start of the monsoon. I am left with my daughter in law and her son. Luckily, with the money from the ponds rehabilitation program, my younger son will stay at home, helping to prepare the land for the next season” said Shanthy.

In this rehabilitation process, it is crucial to break the vicious circle of unemployment, at the source migration which leads to few land rehabilitation, causing even more unemployment and migration. Since the beginning of the Cash for Work program, a first step towards reconstruction has been achieved: migration slowed down or stopped, and collective and private works have started to reoccur. Inhabitants of the Hingulganj Block are finally starting to resume their activities after a very difficult year. ACTED will continue supporting the most vulnerable populations of these targeted areas for another 10 months with various livelihood schemes, and will also provide water and sanitation facilities as well as hygiene education.