Kerala Flood Relief Work – Isha’s On-Ground Action
As Kerala reeled under its worst flood in nearly a century, 175 Isha volunteers including 50 Nadi Veeras and several doctors were on the ground involved in rescue efforts, providing basic amenities, medical aid, and cleaning houses and temples.
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What Happened in Kerala?
In the last 2 months, the state of Kerala has experienced its worst floods in a century. Torrential rainfall forced the state government to open 35 of its 42 dams for the first time in history. All 14 districts were under high alert, and the flooding and landslides have destroyed hundreds of villages. 80% of the state has been cut-off from power supply. Onam celebrations were cancelled and Kochi International Airport has been shut down due to flooding on the runways.
The security forces are putting enormous efforts to rescue & rehabilitate people of Kerala affected by the floods. I beseech the youth of the nation to stand with the people of Kerala (1/2) #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFlood pic.twitter.com/0T3f0D4xDT
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) August 21, 2018
The Scale of Damage
Having endured a death toll of almost a thousand people and with around 80,000 rescued by central forces like the Indian Army and Navy, state forces and local fishermen, the scale of damage the state has endured is immense. Over 1 million people have found shelter in 4000 relief camps.
The damage to the state is estimated to be at least Rs. 10,000 crores. The central government has given Rs. 500 crore for relief and 16 state governments have donated between Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 25 crores each. But it is barely enough. Kerala desperately needs aid from individuals and private entities.
One of the most challenging times for the people of Kerala and the nation. This #Onam is an opportunity to rebuild Kerala. May the best be with Kerala. Blessings. -Sg #HappyOnam
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) August 25, 2018
“It is ‘some experience’ to be part of this state now - from entering unknown houses, to seeing people wandering here and there in need of drinking water or brooms or cleaning materials in an extreme flood affected area. It is not an easy sight to endure. Clearing out 6 cm deep layers of mud with hidden snakes, frogs and reptiles was not something we had prepared for. But the energy and enthusiasm that this little help has brought to people to revive themselves and get going again can't be expressed in words,”
- Dakshyani Das, Nadi Veera who was on the ground working to reach out to the victims of the Kerala flood.
Isha on the Ground in Kerala
This is a grave moment. This is a time to stand together irrespective of language, caste, creed and see what can be done on the ground. #KeralaFloods #KeralaReliefFund https://t.co/V3EPciiEPM https://t.co/ES0QLcw2jG pic.twitter.com/H0Dzad91dL
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) August 19, 2018
“Isha volunteers came to our rescue on 22nd August, when our resources to help 300 families in Ward No. 12 of Kotayail Kovillakkam fell short. Not only did we receive cleaning materials but also periodic follow-up calls checking on our progress. These 300 families have got a renewed vigour to work and clean up their homes after they received abundant supplies. Thank you Isha, you are true champions serving the underprivileged.”
- Priya Singh, Camp Coordinator, Cocoon Foundation
68,000 people have benefited from Isha’s efforts in the last four days. Below is a detailed account.
Rescue Efforts
Our volunteers were able to help 120 stranded people by forwarding their requests in time to qualified rescue teams.
Cleaning Support
21 young Nadi Veeras were allotted to provide cleaning support for homes once the floods receded. They have so far cleaned about 100 houses, the Adishankara Temple at Kalady, and the Anjaneya temple at Deshom. It took 30 volunteers two days to clean these temples.
Focusing their efforts where most needed, the volunteers came to the aid of single elderly women and old couples who had no one else at home to help them. The elderly thanked the youngsters saying, “You are like my children,” and “We will never forget what you did for us.”
Participation of enthused #RallyforRivers volunteers for #KeralaFloodRelief has immensely helped the affected people & taken the relief operations to a new level. Much remains to be done to bring life back to normalcy. -Sg #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/BgXiGl7rxV
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) August 27, 2018
Basic Amenities
Isha teams collected 5 truckloads of relief materials from Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Palakkad with food items, cleaning materials, clothing, gum boots, masks, medicines, etc.
More than 60 volunteers came together to arrange basic rehabilitation kits to assist people to clean their homes upon return.
Around 250 camps were provided with:
- Basic food items like rice and pulses for 24,000 people
- Clothing for adults and children for 40,000 people
- 2600 cleaning kits reaching out to around 12,000 people
- General medicines like ORS and cough syrup for 8000 people
People came from as far as Nilambur to collect materials. They were able to support the camps located predominantly in Aluva, Parur, Chenganur, Pathanamthitta, Vaikom, Thuravoor and Cherthala.
A few volunteers even took the initiative to make food packets and personally drove to 6-8 camps to replenish their food supply.
As more people are leaving the camps and returning to their homes, there has been a shortage of cleaning materials in local markets. So, many camps and volunteers were very happy to receive a cleaning kit.
All volunteers at Isha Yoga Center will skip dinner on Monday nights for next one month. Our financial contributions may be nothing for the scale of devastation that has happened but it's important that we express our empathy to the people of Kerala. –Sg #KeralaFloods
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) August 26, 2018
Medical Aid
The relentless efforts by @ishafoundation volunteers, especially the medical teams, for those affected by #KeralaFloods is incredible, yet just a drop in the ocean. Time to put our best foot forward to rehabilitate the people of Kerala in these challenging times. –Sg #KeralaSOS pic.twitter.com/QVxXoHMHqO
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) August 22, 2018
Three Isha Outreach Mobile Medical Vans have been in operation from 21st August around the affected areas.
- They are screening an average of 740 people per day.
- Common ailments were: fever, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, gastroenteritis, Washerman’s foot, diabetes, hypertension, nail bed infections, skin allergies, minor injuries, etc.
- Major areas covered were Perumbavoor, Aluva, Paravoor, and Maliankara
- Volunteers spent 5 hours mixing kashayam (herbal tonic to boost immunity and prevent disease), which was a big hit. An average of 120 liters of Nilavembu Kashayam is being distributed per day.
Most of the patients appreciated how the medical services provided were different than in other camps, as Ayurvedic treatments in camps are rare. Additionally, the patients were happy to learn that doctors from other states had come to serve them.
The volunteers expressed their gratitude to Sadhguru for offering them an opportunity to be of service in this time of utmost need and make a small contribution to the Kerala Flood Relief work.
No matter who you worship or where you are born, human compassion and kindness trumps all. This is the power of consciousness. -Sg #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/vCz0sZe73T
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) August 24, 2018
Editor's Note: To support these on-going efforts of Kerala Flood Relief, please donate at: http://isha.co/KeralaRelief-India India, http://isha.co/KeralaRelief-Overseas Overseas.
