Kerala Floods 2018 – Rescue Relief & Rebuilding !

Kerala Floods 2018 – Rescue & Relief Phase

Tropical Kerala or God’s own country is known for its monsoons and receives amongst the highest rainfall in the world. This small beautiful province has 44 rivers However this monsoon have has seen the highest amounts of rainfall in 50 years. For the last month, Kerala’s granary Kuttanad has been inundated with overflowing rivers caused by excess rainfall. If that was not enough torrential rains in the last 2 weeks have caused have caused landslides in the hilly districts of Wayanadu, Idukki and flash floods elsewhere. All of it 44 rivers are in spate and have broken their banks in many places downstream immersing property, roads and disrupting life to many thousands. Ten of its14 districts are impacted. All dams on these rivers are full, leading the authorities to open the flood gates into already swollen rivers, making the situation grim. One of the highest Arch dams in Asia, the Idukki dam had ist shutters opened after 26 years. The unprecedented damage has killed 186 people and destroyed over 10,000 homes. Over 60,000 people are lodged in various relief camps across the 14 districts.

Sewa International has over 6 decades of experience in Disaster Relief and in India and Nepal, where they are almost the first responders, though being a totally volunteer organization. In Kerala, together with theri local partner organization Seva Bharathi Keralam, Sewa International is involved in rescue and relief operations by distributing food packets, cooking kits, opening free kitchens, providing medical help through medical camps, clearing roads and blocked and flooded pathways.

Volunteers of Seva Bharathi Keralam have been on the ground providing relief in the Kuttanad area for the last month. Due to the current situation they are now active in all of the impacted districts. As always in these situations there is an urgent need for water purifiers, packed food, utensils, blankets, seasonal clothing, first aid kits, toiletries, flashlights, water bottles, mosquito mats/nets, backpacks, etc.

Seva Bharathi Keralam is sourcing these locally through donors and local purchases. For donors in Canada who want to lend a helping hand to the impacted people of Kerala, Sewa Canada International has set up a Kerala Flood Relief Project.

Sewa Canada International has been a registered charity for over 25 years and serving the world in Disaster Relief, Health, Women Empowerment and Education areas. All donations qualify for Tax Deductible receipts, in Canada. All donations in Canada under rules set by Canada Revenue Agency will be transferred to our partners in Kerala, India, abiding by the FCRA regulations in  India, to carry our relief activities, followed by rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, in due course. All donors will be provided with details of the projects carried out by Sewa Canada International

How is Sewa Canada International helping in Kerala ?

– Update on 31st August 2018

• Number of volunteers up to 102,000 in 12 districts.
• Relief Camps opened by Seva Bharathi in Palakkad, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Idukki, Thrissur & Wayanad.
• A total of 298 camps organized by Seva Bharathi directly, up from 150.
• Food, accommodation, clothing and medical service were provided in all of these relief camps.
• Distributed 2155 tons of food, clothes and house hold material to 105,000 people.
• More than 50 volunteers were actively involved for coordinating in each camp.
• About 20 volunteers of Seva Bharathi are also volunteering at over 3000 camps organized by the Government.
• 650 doctors rendered medical services at relief camps and organized 250 medical camps.
• 102,000 volunteers in 14 districts are engaged in cleaning and sanitizing homes, wells and buildings.
• 27,600 homes, 210 religious institutions & 400 hospitals have been cleaned so far by these volunteers
• Mass cleaning event scheduled for the weekend on 1st September to prevent outbreak of diseases.

UPDATE as of 21st August 2018

• Total 85,000 of our volunteers engaged in the rescue & rehabilitation work (65,000 Men and 20,000 women
• Our volunteers rescued over 5000 people in the past week.
• Some of our volunteers have lost their lives and others grievously injured while undertaking rescue missions.
• Total camps run by the government is 3,965 as of 21st August 2018, out of this 150 camps are directly maintained by our partner organization with 50 volunteers.
• 3 warehouses functioning at Trivandrum, Kasargod, and Palakkad as the collection center for Kerala Flood and Landslide reliefs.
• 15 warehouses in each district including sub-centres to collect grocery, clothes, sanitation materials, medicines, household items etc. Total 210 centers.
• 25,000 volunteers directly engaged in sanitation work in the affected areas
• 150 boats, 70 ambulance and 300 vehicles deployed for relief and rescue activities

CTV National News covered the floods in Kerala & Sewa Canada’s effort on Sunday night. CLICK HERE to watch it.

What is next ? 

Once the worst is over, rescue operations are completed &  waters recede, Sewa Canada will move into –

• Assessment of the situation on the ground.
• Identify areas to rebuild lives and property.
• Move into reconstruction mode – the most difficult phase requiring endurance and experience
• Sewa Canada will transfer all funds to its partner organization for implementation, based on Canada Revenue Agency guidelines and FCRA regulations in India.
• All donors will be provided with details of the projects carried out by Sewa Canada International.

Sewa Canada International has been a registered charity in  Canada for over 25 years, serving the world in Disaster Relief, Health, Women Empowerment and Education areas. All donations qualify for Tax Deductible receipts, in Canada.