WV India reaches out to over 10,000 families with emergency relief in the first phase

Heavy rains and severe flooding have led to deaths of 483 people across Kerala. Around 14 people are reported to be still missing. A total of 1.45 million had to be rushed to nearby relief camps. Many others moved to their relatives’ homes when their houses got flooded.

The worst floods in the century have caused widespread deforestation and land erosion. Several trees were uprooted while roads and bridges were washed away by flash floods. Houses have been washed away, rendering thousands homeless.

WV India distributed dry rations, non-food items and hygiene kits to 11363 families in five districts: Malappuram, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad, Wayanad and Kottayam.

Another 10,000 families in Idukki, Kottayam/Allepey (Kuttanad), Wayanad will be provided with non-food items in the second phase of response.

As many of the people in affected areas work as agricultural labourers, the floods have also washed away their livelihoods.  Around 57,000 hectares of crops, over 2,00,000 poultry and 46000 milch animals have been washed away in the floods. The economic impact of the floods has been immense with a large number of small and medium-scale enterprises being heavily affected by the floodwaters.

 As people go back to their houses, the fear of water-borne diseases is also a reality. The Government and NGOs are working to provide people with access to doctors and medicines.

 Many children have lost their books in the floods and schools have lost all infrastructure. Clean water supply in many schools have also been affected.

Recovery will be a long hard process.

WV India teams are on the ground, engaged in detailed assessment of the affected communities to plan for the recovery response in the sectors of shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and livelihood to the affected families in Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam and Allepey.

World Vision India will work with the affected communities in helping them rebuild their houses and livelihoods. Our recovery efforts will also involve rebuilding school infrastructure in the affected areas so that children continue their learning.

You can stand with the people of Kerala at this time of need and help them rebuild their lives.