Imphal: Chakhum-gi Meiri team visited one of the largest relief camps at Ideal Girls College, Akampat of Imphal East with 836 IDPs and provided 6 LPG stoves and gas cylinder refill charges in the presence of SDC, James Konsam on Monday
The relief camp was completely dependent on firewood for their daily cooking needs. Approximately 200 to 300 kilograms of firewood are used daily, which amounts to 6000 to 9000 kilograms in a month. The kitchen duty involves 5 to 6 men at a time, along with 6 women responsible for vegetable preparation and cleaning. Utensil cleaning is a significant task for women, involving 25 to 30 large Korfus (pot) in a day.
With LPG provided by the Chakhum-gi meiri team replacing firewood cooking time would be saved, and cleaning time would be significantly reduced. Energy efficient LPG gas will reduce the carbon footprint of the kitchen and also, they can make breakfast for school-going students which otherwise they are handling in individual capacities at additional cost and time for every individual family.
The team also visited Sawombung pre-fabricated facilities whereby an extra LPG stove was provided in the community Kitchen 1 and 3 respectively.
On September 30, 2023, while visiting the Oksongbung relief camp of Bishnupur district, a few volunteers felt the need to change large quantities of firewood being used in these kitchens to cooking by LPG. Later it was followed by a group of like-minded peoples implemented through Manipurtimes and Chakhum platform with a theme of “Chakhum-gi Meiri Mut-han-gumsi”. The team has a mission of “Transforming every Chakhum of Relief Camps with LPG facilities.”
The use of LPG over firewood has its economic advantages and is better thermal efficient. This choice helps save energy and time during the cooking process, ensuring that children can attend school punctually. Additionally, it aids in avoiding the long-term side effects of smoke inhalation and saves time and effort otherwise spent on cleaning blackened pots.
With the information gathered from respective DC offices of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, 110 relief camps were initially identified without LPG facilities out of about 140 relief camps. A budget of Rs. 6 lacs and 200 burners were planned to fulfil this mission.
A WhatsApp group was formed on October 10, 2023, and started inviting people through individual networking to join for this mission. Social media platforms of Manipurtimes and Chakhum are effectively used for greater outreach.
After the mission team was formed, the first relief camp visit was made on October 29, 2023, covering two relief camps in Moirang, Bishnupur district. Continuous efforts are made to get more funds for the mission and keep visiting more relief camps.
While trying to reduce the cost, an order of 120 stoves was made through a firm in Kolkata. The challenges of the bulk transportation were supported by the Assam Rifle by air-lifting from Kolkata to Imphal, under a special arrangement.
With the passing days, many camps are found to be closed and merged with another effectively. Few relief camps still prefer to use firewood for daily needs for cooking and hence LPG stoves were not provided to those specific camps.
Hence, with the coverage of a total of 100 relief camps, the mission is declared completed as of December 25, 2023.
District wise number of relief camps covered is 30 for Kakching district, 49 for Bishnupur district, 18 for Imphal West district and 3 for Imphal East district, according to a press note
