President flags off Red Cross relief material for affected people in Assam, Bihar and UP

President Ram Nath Kovind on July 23 flagged off Red Cross relief material for the people affected by flood and COVID-19 in Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Harsh Vardhan , Union Health Minister and the Chariman of Indian Red Cross Society was also present in the event held at Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

The relief material included items such as tarpaulins, tents, saris, dhotis, cotton blankets, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, bed sheets, buckets and two water purification units, it said.

“In addition, COVID-19 protection items such as surgical masks, PPE kits, gloves and face shields are also part of the relief material flagged off by President Kovind,” the statement said.

These items are meant to safeguard and protect health workers associated with the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) medical services in these states as well as the volunteers of IRCS who are at the forefront of flood relief and rehabilitation efforts, it said.

At least 28.32 lakh people in 26 districts of Assam have been affected by the floods. The number of people who have lost their lives in floods and landslides in the northeastern state this year has gone up to 119. While 93 of them died in flood-related incidents, 26 were killed in landslides.

In Bihar, over 7.65 lakh people have been affected across its 10 districts. Close to 14,000 people have been lodged at 28 relief camps set across the affected districts, while nearly 80,000 were being fed at 192 community kitchens.

Uttar Pradesh has reported 58,104 COVID confirmed cases. Of these, 35,803 have been cured/discharged and 21,012 are active cases. As many as 1,289 people have lost their lives due to the coronavirus, according to the latest Health Ministry data.

Assam and Bihar have reported 28,791 and 31,980 confirmed cases of COVID.

Of these, 20,699 and 20,769 have been cured respectively in Assam and Bihar.

A total of 70 people have lost their lives in Assam and 217 in Bihar.

In Assam, 93 people have lost their lives in flood-related incidents while over 28 lakh have been affected in 26 districts of the state.