Devastating floods have struck several parts of India, impacting over 30 lakh people and leaving thousands of families in Kerala, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra in desperate need of help. In particular, the situation in Wayanad, Kerala has been dire. Landslides triggered by torrential rains have claimed nearly 200 lives, with many more still missing. Houses are reduced to rubble, entire neighborhoods have drowned in water and countless lives are disrupted, with many losing both their homes and means of earning a living.. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described it as
“one of the worst natural calamities Kerala state has ever witnessed.”
Rescue efforts have been challenging due to continuous rains. Rescuers, using machinery to sift through debris, have found casualties downstream and hopes of finding more survivors are fading. Over 5,500 people have been rescued and nearly 8,300 have been moved to relief camps. However, the need for immediate relief is most needed as more rains are expected.
On the ground: Smile Foundation’s Disaster Relief Response
Smile Foundation’s disaster response team is on the ground, reaching out to the worst affected children and families, assessing critical needs and procuring relief material. Your generous contribution to the Wayanad flood donation campaign can help us deliver essential food kits, hygiene kits and mobile health camps. These efforts will greatly help to sustain affected families, prevent disease outbreaks and provide immediate medical care.
Food kits:
We are providing essential food kits designed to sustain a family of five for a month. These kits include staples like rice, wheat flour, dal, salt, oil, sugar, chili powder, turmeric powder, biscuits, milk powder and oral rehydration solutions.
Hygiene kits:
To prevent the outbreak of diseases, we are distributing hygiene kits containing sanitary napkins, soaps, chlorine tablets, candles, soap boxes, mosquito repellent and bleaching powder. These basic items can make a huge difference in maintaining health and hygiene in flood-hit areas.
Health camps:
Mobile health camps are providing immediate medical care. These camps are crucial in addressing the urgent health needs of flood-affected populations and preventing the spread of diseases.
The torrential rains caught everyone by surprise
The ongoing disaster highlights the severe impact of extreme weather conditions in recent years, often attributed to climate change. The region hit by the landslides was forecasted to receive 204mm of rainfall but ended up with a deluge of 572mm over 48 hours. This unexpected and extreme weather has intensified the suffering of the affected communities.