The state of Kerala is witnessing one of its worst floods in 100 years which have claimed at least 370 lives and has displaced over 800,000 people.
Well, the estimated damage in the whole state has crossed Rs19,000 crore while the whole state continues to battle with the situation, from Bollywood celebrities to local people to big corporations, the state is getting help from people of all quarters.
Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. This flood is also one of the worst floods in our country's history. More than half a million people are displaced. Your help can rebuild the lives of these affected. Donate to:https://t.co/FjYFEdOsyl #KeralaReliefFund
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 19, 2018
Let’s talk about India’s new-age technology companies like India’s largest homegrown e-tailer, Flipkart, and grocery delivery app BigBasket which has tie-ups with non-profit organizations such as Goonj and Oxfam India that allows shoppers to buy and donate relief goods.
Well, shoppers can now spend on small items like soaps and mosquito repellents. Further, the most interesting fact over here is that these companies are delivering these orders to the relief organizations free of cost.
“Our last-mile logistics team in the affected districts is helping out NGO partners,” said Amazon India spokesperson. Meanwhile, Paytm has begun an option for users to directly transfer money to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.
Moreover, the company has said it will match the amount that users donate with an equal contribution from its side. On August 18, 2018, the company declared that the donations from its platform had crossed Rs10 crore.
Further, food-delivery platform Zomato even has tie-ups with Akshay Patra, that runs the school lunch programme across India, to let the users donate set meals for people at the relief camps.
Moreover, Google has even activated its Person Finder tool which lets people upload information about their location. Mark Zuckerburg’s Facebook has turned on its Crisis Response feature, which helps people to search for and offer help such as medical supplies in the flood-hit areas. Also, the users can mark themselves safe to their contacts with the Safety Check option on the platform.
Our thoughts are with those in Kerala. Help track missing people with #personfinder: https://t.co/8EECLFpCqv #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/mo9VM3Uph4
— Google India (@GoogleIndia) August 16, 2018
Motor vehicle companies Hyundai India and TVS have even donated Rs.1 crore each to the relief fund. Telecom giant Reliance Jio has announced free voice calls and internet for a week, while Vodafone, Idea, Airtel, and BSNL are also offering free internet calling services.
Airlines are flying additional flights to and from Kerala while Indian Railways is transporting relief supplies without charge.
After the Kerala government requested Rs1,220 crore, the union government gave the state Rs100 crore. On Aug. 18, PM Narendra Modi released an additional Rs500 crore after visiting flood-hit regions to assess the whole situation.
Reportedly, UAE has formed an emergency committee for helping Kerala. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, who is the ruler of Sharjah city of the UAE, has donated Rs4 crore while Qatar announced $5 million, Oman dispatched a flight with relief goods.
The people of Kerala have always been and are still part of our success story in the UAE. We have a special responsibility to help and support those affected, especially during this holy and blessed days pic.twitter.com/ZGom5A6WRy
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) August 17, 2018
Moreover, Indian business persons in the UAE have announced a donation of Rs12.5 crore ($1.8 million) for relief efforts.
How can an ordinary citizen help those affected by floods?
Donate money: When disaster strikes, the best way to help the people affected by the disaster is by donating money. Well, it’s the most simple way to help and individuals across the world can be a part of it too.
Donate material: During floods, people should engage in the collection of material which should be sent to relief shelters, once relief shelters are operational. Further, it is important to send those materials which are actually required rather than picking a collection of random things.
Volunteer: People residing close to the affected areas can volunteer to work with the relief agencies on the ground. However, volunteering should be practiced by those who are reasonably fit and have the basic skills to help others. Meanwhile, professionals like doctors, drivers, plumbers, electricians can make all the difference.
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