WV India reaches out to over 26,000 families with emergency relief 

Kerala is recovering from what has been the worst flood in the last century. As the state tries to recover from the torrential downpour that ravaged lakhs of homes, the net loss is estimated to be close to INR 20,000 crore. The flood has left behind several scars that will impact the people and their lives for a while yet.

World Vision India has been on the ground providing immediate relief and psychosocial support to the flood-affected families.

Our initial support has been through provision of dry ration, non-food household supplies, hygiene packs and water purification sachets and demonstration on hand wash with soap. Over 26,000 families in the affected districts of Malapuram, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad, Wayanad, Idukki and Alappuzha districts, have been covered in the initial phase. Morever around 1200 children were part of the child-friendly spaces established by World Vision India in various relief camps.

While the relief response is planned for the first three months, the long-term recovery and rehabilitation of the affected families have been planned for 12 months, up to October 2019.

As the flood waters ravaged through settlements, several families have lost their houses fully or partially. After the relief camps were closed, many such families took shelter in their relatives’ places, while others rented small rooms.

Realising that temporary shelter assistance is crucial as the government support will take at least one or two years, World Vision India has designed a low-cost temporary shelter model to help families have a place of residence. The first ever such transition shelter has been built for Rajesh and his family in Kainankary Panchayat, Alappuzha. Expressing his gratitude for the help he received, Rajesh said, ““I am so happy that we will be able to move here soon. We do not have to spend money on rent anymore. I can start working again and provide for my family.” World Vision India has identified another 100 families in both Kainakary and Vellinad Panchayats, who would be supported with transition shelter.

World Vision India has also been looking into other immediate needs of the communities. Along with engineers from Tata Projects, we have completed technical assessment of the damaged community water filters. More than 20 Reverse Osmosis (R0) water units will be repaired in Kuttanad taluk of Alappuzha.

While many houses suffered damages, the toilets and septic tanks have been clogged with flood water and contaminated faecal matter. World Vision India is working on an environment friendly solution to clean up the septic tanks. We have identified 410 damaged septic tanks in Kainankary and Vellinad Panchayats, of which 106 tanks have been cleaned.

Moreover, World Vision India will also help the worst-affected communities restore their livelihood. Most of the flood-affected communities are mainly agrarian, and a major problem they face after the floods is loss of livelihood. Small and marginal farmers and daily informal labourers are the most affected. Prolonged flood waters also reduced employment opportunities and incomes. Our proposed interventions in such will focus on strengthening traditional livelihood like agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries.  Around 200 most vulnerable families will be benefited through livelihood interventions.

In addition, an education kit comprising articles such as school bag, notebooks, stationery, lunch box, water bottle, solar lantern and an umbrella will be provided to 900 children to help them return to education. Five schools that have been damaged during the floods, will also be provided with infrastructure support.

World Vision India is closely working with the Government officials along with other NGOs and UN agencies for a co-ordinated response. A Joint Needs Assessment has been also conducted in coordination with other NGOs, to ensure that all the affected families are reached without duplication.