In Assam’s Lakhimpur district, villagers built a bamboo bridge through Goonj’s CFW–Rahat, turning flood isolation into connection and hope.
NORTH-EASTERN STATES AND WEST BENGAL
Regional Report
Enabling lives through dignity, sustainability, and community engagement
Beyond Relief: How Communities in North-Eastern State and West Bengal Are Shaping Their Own Future
North-Eastern State and West Bengal, rich in culture and natural resources, face floods, cyclones, and shifting livelihoods that constantly reshape everyday life. Resilience is not about waiting—it’s about people reclaiming resources, strengthening existing systems, and leading their own solutions. Our journey in the region began with disaster response and has since evolved into deeper developmental work.
This Regional Report goes beyond numbers—it showcases how communities are driving change through dignity, participation, and circular solutions. It highlights flood-affected communities restoring roads, bridges, and shared spaces using local materials, women reclaiming menstrual health dignity through the Not Just a Piece of Cloth (NJPC) initiative, and the role of Societal Alliance for Resilience and Response to Disasters (SARRD) in strengthening disaster preparedness.
NORTH-EASTERN STATE AND WEST BENGAL COMMUNITY IMPACT:
KEY HIGHLIGHTS (2014-2024)
The following numbers represent the collective power of communities in driving change

RURAL DEVELOPMENT
6,500+
tonnes of material repurposed to reach village communities.

EDUCATION
30,000+
school kits reached.

ENVIRONMENT
3,000+
saplings plantation drives, promoting sustainable conservation efforts.

WATER MANAGEMENT
1400+
initiatives for rural water security.

MENSTRUAL HYGIENE
4,50,000+
MY Pads channelised for menstrual awareness.

URBAN Partnerships
500+
organizations engaged in sustainable development.

DISASTER RESPONSE
70,000+
families reached during floods

INFRASTRUCTURE
3000+
infrastructure developed to improve access.

LIVELIHOOD Restoration
2100+
families empowered to rebuild their sources of income.

Deep Dive into Community Resilience
Read the full Goonj North-Eastern State and West Bengal Regional Report to discover how urban surplus and community action are changing lives.
IMPACT STORIES
Behind every statistic is a story of change and dignity-led development.

In flood-prone Ghatal, Paschim Medinipur, community members use their own resources to build a bamboo bridge. This is a powerful story of people-led change and sharing with purpose that restored connectivity for students, markets, and health access.
Crossing the Divide: Maharajpur Community Builds a Lifeline with Local Wisdom

Witness the power of people-led change in Majuli, Assam. The community, guardians, and teachers came together to renovate Brahmaputra Janajati H.S. School, securing a better learning future for over 100 students. This is a story of long-term community rebuilding and sharing with purpose beyond immediate relief.
A Resilient Future for Majuli’s Students: Community Takes Charge of School Rebuilding
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
This is our clarion call to people: Don’t just recycle, ‘Goonj.. it’ instead!
Any surplus material you may have—at home, in offices, or anywhere—is urgently needed to respond to climate change and climate emergencies across India. Goonj exponentially increases the impact of your material by deploying it to mobilize and enable people in both urban and rural India to drive climate action-led solutions.
Let’s play a more active role in shaping a better world for ourselves and future generations.















