**Mita, 13, came to the door seeking shelter for herself and three sisters. They had been living on the streets since their father disappeared.**

Health and Disease Prevention

In order that children can thrive and receive their education then they need to be healthy. Unfortunately however many diseases are endemic in West Bengal.

Both our partner organisations provide good food and water to residential children but where children are based at home and in villages this is not always the case. Clean water in particular is essential in order to prevent a host of parasitic diseases. Often drinking water is taken from open ponds or has to be transported (usually by women) considerable distances from sources which are often polluted. In addition because of increasing demand for water because of population growth water tables have fallen dramatically and wells have to be bored to deeper and deeper depths.

To respond to this pressure INCH has funded a small number of new wells, usually in villages and after advice from our partner organisation in West Bengal the Rama Krishna Vivekanada Mission (RVM). Each new well now costs around £750.

Our second health focus is on the prevention of Malaria and Dengue Fever. These viral diseases are passed on by the bites of mosquitoes. The two traditional means of prevention are reducing the areas of stagnant water where the mosquitoes breed and by the use of nets to cover beds. Most infection occurs at night when children are sleeping.

A long line forms as our partner, RVM, expands its usual role to distribute food supplies to those in need during the Covid crisis

INCH has decided to concentrate on the provision of nets as it would not be practicable to prioritise the elimination of stagnant water as this has to be determined locally according to circumstance.

Many children live in rooms and dormitories with either no mosquito nets or with nets that are holed and defective. A secure net is very effective at preventing biting by flying insects.

INCH has already funded 250 nets at a cost of £2.25 each. As the nets are relatively cheap then this investment is very cost effective in preventing the spread of Malaria and Dengue Fever.

Associated with Malaria Dengue Fever prevention is a drive by our partner RVM to increase hygiene awareness and disease prevention knowledge - clean hands, clean toilets and general cleanliness of buildings. INCH is supporting this health education initiative for a two year period.