RYTHM Foundation Donates USD 30,000 to UNICEF Bihar to Support Water & Sanitation Programme in Flood Affected Districts

Patna (Bihar): 17 February 2009 - The affect of devastating floods in 2008 in North Bihar (India) are still being felt today, almost six-months after flood waters ravaged the districts of Supaul, Saharsa, Araria, Madhepura and Purnia.

The resulting devastation led to the displacement of almost 4.57-million people, as well as damage or destruction of essential infrastructure like roads, bridges, water supply systems and schools.

UNICEF, in view of the scale of the floods and over stretched national and state capacities, has been supporting the Government of Bihar and other civil society actors in emergency relief and rehabilitation of affected population.

In keeping with its commitment to the flood-affected people, especially those living in marooned and/or difficult to access areas, UNICEF has made rehabilitation of flood-affected people a priority. UNICEF programmes, like Water and Sanitation, Child Protection, Child Development & Nutrition, HIV, Education, Health, Programme Communications and Advocacy & Partnerships are working in partnership with the Government of Bihar and other donors/civil society actors to rehabilitate people, especially those in marooned areas.

RYTHM Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Hong Kong-headquartered QI Group, was established in 2005 to support the corporation's commitment to disaster mitigation, children, poverty elimination and environment across the globe. A shared concern for children, especially in the light of floods in North Bihar, brings both UNICEF and RYTHM Foundation on a common platform to support rehabilitation in the state.

RYTHM Foundation Trustee Mr Bernhard H. Mayer met with representatives of UNICEF Bihar office on Tuesday 17 February 2009, to officially present USD 30,000 to UNICEF to support various flood-related emergency programmes in the affected districts.

The cheque was presented by Mr Mayer in a simple ceremony to Patna UNICEF Field Office Chief Mr Bijaya Rajbhandari, at Patna today.

Both Mr Mayer and Mr Rajbhandari also discussed potential future cooperation between the two organisations to work towards similar relief and support programmes in the state.