From a residents’ body in Delhi and the nurses union at AIIMS to a group of boys in Chennai, people are chipping in to do their bit for Kerala’s flood-hit masses.
New Delhi: As Kerala battles its worst floods in nearly a century, the rest of the country is coming together to help the lakhs displaced by the deluge.
From a priest offering a peaceful resting place for the dead, to expeditions to rescue the pets left behind, almost everyone is trying to help out in any way they can.
At least 250 people have died this monsoon in Kerala, with over 30 still missing.
The humans of India
Delhi-based Christian priest Kuruvila Kulanjikompil Samuel has offered a plot he owns at Adoor in Pathanamthitta, one of the worst-affected districts, for the burial of those killed in the floods, no matter their religion or caste.
Through a video posted on Facebook, he explained that the plot was safe from flooding. “Those who do not have a proper place to bury their loved ones are permitted to approach my brother George K.S. in Adoor,” he said.
For those who do not have place to bury the flood afflicted in Kerala.കേരളത്തിൽ ആകസ്മികമായുണ്ടായ പ്രളയക്കെടുതിയിൽ മരണപ്പെട്ടവരെ മറവുചെയ്യാൻ സൗകര്യമില്ലാത്തവർക്കായി.
Kuruvila Kulanjikompil Samuel यांनी वर पोस्ट केले शनिवार, १८ ऑगस्ट, २०१८
People (from anywhere in Kerala, irrespective of religion, caste) who need land to bury their dead, Kuruvilla Samuel from Adoor has offered his plot for the purpose. You can reach him on 9871358055 #Verified This broke my heart. #KeralaFloods #KeralaSOS
— Vinay Aravind ???? (@vinayaravind) August 19, 2018
In Kozhikode, meanwhile, a madrasa has reportedly emerged as one of the district’s largest relief camps.
This madrasa in Kozhikode district of Kerala is the largest relief camp in the district. Even in this cataclysm, humanity thrives in Kerala.
We are together in this battle for survival. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/QThJ1MsLXa
— Sudeep Sudhakaran (@SudeepSudhakrn) August 15, 2018
Khalsa Aid, a UK-based humanitarian organisation known internationally for reaching out to those in need, is dishing out hot meals through a langar in Kochi, which is situated in another one of the hardest-hit districts, Ernakulam.
The Sikh community has always been in the forefront when it comes to helping people. @Khalsa_Aid known for their humanitarian work for refugees across the world have set up a ‘langar’ in Kochi and are providing food to #KeralaFloods victims.
Thank you. Heartfelt gratitude ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Z0eNyJv8JA
— Sankar Das (@mallucomrade) August 19, 2018
Images from the deluge have shown people being taken through the flooded cities aboard boats – many of the vessels used by rescue agencies belonged to the state’s fishermen, who have joined in the evacuation operations.
These fishermen are the unsung heroes of #KeralaFloodRelief. They’ve come from different parts of Kerala with their boats to aid in the rescue operations since Navy boats were running short.Even NDRF is using their boats now cause they are easier to navigate in the flooded areas. pic.twitter.com/aqhBkGFrRx
— Sankar Das (@mallucomrade) August 17, 2018
Half a world away, in Delhi-NCR, resident welfare associations, students, and social media influencers are among those chipping in with essentials like towels, sanitary napkins, milk powder, tents, biscuits, baby food, and water bottles.
The Malayali Welfare Association at Samachar Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase 1 collaborated with disaster-relief NGO Goonj to organise a collection camp on 17 August.
According to a Facebook post by Rubin D’Cruz, an assistant editor at the National Book Trust of India and alumnus of the University of Kerala, IndiGo Airlines was ferrying 70 tonnes of material to Kerala daily for free.
Goonj has also collaborated with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), with a list of the material required, especially food items, distributed among all the latter’s partner restaurants in Delhi.
The Robin Hood Army, a volunteer-based organisation that redistributes leftovers from restaurants and private functions to the poor, also held a massive collection drive on 15 August. According to a report in The Times of India, around 2,295 partners cooperated, with 18,000 meals already shipped to Kerala.
Also read: Here’s how you can help the flood-hit people in Kerala
The nurses’ union at AIIMS began collecting essential medicines for relief camps on 15 August, with the Navy airlifting the packages to affected areas on the midnight of 18 August.
According to press statements made by the union’s general secretary Vipin Krishnan, the staff at AIIMS had gathered three lakh sanitary pads for their air dispatch. Another shipment was sent by road the following evening.
Social media and messaging groups have emerged as fast and effective ways to spread awareness, convey information, and mobilise rescue efforts. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and even emails are being used to coordinate initiatives and create communities dedicates to the relief mission.
In Kerala, citizen rescue teams across different districts have set up WhatsApp groups that are open to the public to join:
Overall Kerala coordination team 1
https://chat.whatsapp.com/3t3Ng6t8jCJAS7gg2sAxeT
Overall Kerala coordination team 2
https://chat.whatsapp.com/2rZ7uC22bQlHA7TDo0qXwo
An Instagram post by Gurgaon resident Tanisa Dhingra has been doing the rounds over the past few days, asking citizens to chip in with different essentials.
Schools and colleges, too, are tapping their alumni networks to raise funds, using their campuses as drop-off points.
Back in Kerala, the All Kerala Caterers Association has offered to provide free food for relief camps, while local bakeries have been sending food packets.
The pets left behind
The helping hand is also reaching out for animals and pets left behind by owners evacuated during the rescue operations, as well the others stranded by the floods.
One group of four boys from Chennai — Nishanth Nichu, Dinesh Baba, Arjun S. and Albert Peter — travelled to Kerala to help rescue stranded animals.
The group told the press that they had rescued around 45 animals so far.
The Humane Society International India, an animal rights body, is working tirelessly in Kerala’s Nilambur and Tirur regions to rescue kittens, puppies, and other animals left behind by owners.
Here again, social media is helping people get in touch with the right people.
Any help required with animals in Kerala.
Please contact on +91 80-72554825 and +91 89433 22808. The help will reach the animal.
Please share and spread the word. ????.@ParinaazIsHere @AnjaliMenonFilm @CarDroidusMax @brumbyOz#KeralaFloodRescue #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods
— Abdul Mohammed (@ImAbdy) August 18, 2018
Also read: Kerala has raised the bar, shamed the Indian conscience on disaster relief
no mention of Hindu temples taking any initiative, or the RSS taking any initiative?
Three generations of our family have been helped by nurses from Kerala. Their work ethic would win them respect all over the world. In their moment of grave difficulty, it is only right that all Indians stand by them. 2. The Sikhs are our largest hearted community. Recently, they were arranging hot meals for Rohingyas fleeing persecution in Myanmar.