When the Floodwaters Rose, Communities Came Together
In June 2022, the state of Assam was submerged under floodwaters, affecting over 22 lakh people across 28 districts. The relentless floods destroyed agricultural land, killed livestock, and displaced thousands, forcing families to seek shelter along river embankments, roadsides, or crowded relief camps.
With bare access to food and essentials, hunger and malnutrition became an urgent crisis. This is when local communities, volunteers, and Goonj came together to create a people-led response—setting up six community kitchens in the hardest-hit districts.
Families displaced by Assam floods taking shelter along embankments
A Collective Effort – Setting Up Six Community Kitchens
To tackle the immediate need for food, Goonj, in collaboration with Altruism Society Honour Assistance (ASHA) and Uttar Betna Samaj Sangrakshak Bahini (UBSSB), set up community kitchens in Tamulpur, Darrang, Kokrajhar, and Kamrup districts.
The community kitchens served as a critical system, providing:
- Nutritious cooked meals to thousands of flood-affected families
- Essential rations such as rice, pulses, cooking oil, and vegetables
- A safe space for collective cooking and sharing of resources
Each kitchen was run by local volunteers, ensuring that the response was owned and led by the affected communities themselves.
Flood-affected families receiving meals from the community kitchen
“It Gave Me Immense Joy to See People Eat Well” – Abdul Hamid’s Story
Among the many volunteers was Abdul Hamid, a resident of Kachukata village, Kokrajhar district, who took on the role of head chef at one of the kitchens.
Reflecting on his experience, he shared:
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Goonj for their invaluable assistance. It gave me immense joy to see people eat their meals well.”
Scaling the Response – Strength in Community Action
Each kitchen initially planned to run for 10 days, but as the situation evolved, Goonj remained on the ground, extending food assistance based on ongoing requirements.
The response was driven by collective efforts, with over 35+ community volunteers handling tasks like:
- Cutting vegetables and preparing meals
- Cooking in makeshift kitchens
- Serving food to over 500 individuals per day per district
Beyond Relief – A Model for Community Resilience
The Assam floods of 2022 were devastating, but they also demonstrated the power of community-led action. The community kitchens were not just about food—they became a space of solidarity, healing, and resilience.
By mobilising local resources and people’s participation, Goonj and its partners enabled communities to lead their own recovery—proving that disaster response is not just about relief but about dignity and strength.
In times of crisis, what truly matters is how people come together—because resilience grows when communities lead.
Volunteers and flood-affected families cooking together
Be part of this movement
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
