New Delhi: A long-term relief and rehabilitation project - "University for Development Action and Integrated Learning (UDAI-II)" has been launched by the Department of Social Work (DSW) of Delhi University (DU) for the flood affected people in Bihar.

The Department of Social Work (DSW) has been actively participating in the rehabilitation of the flood affected people in Bihar.

Earlier, a delegation headed by Manoj K. Jha distributed infant food, milk powder, biscuits, torches, candles, chlorine, tablets, oral rehydration solution (ORS) and tarpaulin sheets to the flood-affected people in Bihar. Clothes worth Rs.15 lakhs were also distributed among the people. The delegation returned last week.

Relief camps were setup by DSW volunteers at Triveniganj and Chataphpur blocks of Supaul district.

Sharing his experiences, Dr. Jha said, "We started medical intervention and provided a makeshift ambulance. When we reached there, the government-run medical camps had limited medicines and the most basic ones were missing. There was no provision for light. DU was the first to reach out to people with candles".

"We are following a relay model. We are looking at three dimensions: reaching out to the needy at rescue points, exclusively engaging with the most vulnerable families on a long term basis, and damage assessment, provided it does not rain till October at a later stage. The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai wants to collaborate with us in terms of damage assessment in North Bihar", Dr. Jha further said.

DSW's second team of volunteers has already left for Bihar. A third delegation will leave on Tuesday.

Moved by the devastation caused by floods in Bihar, US ambassador to India David C. Mulford on Wednesday announced a fresh aid of $2.5 million for the victims of the disaster that has displaced over three million people.

The US contribution will complement the relief efforts of the Indian government in Bihar and will be closely coordinated with district-level officials, the US embassy said in a statement here.

Last month, the US had contributed $100,000 for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims in Bihar.

The floods in Bihar have displaced 3.2 million people and killed hundreds of people.