What’s happening in Kerala is so tragic and what we see in videos on social media is only the tip of the iceberg, a small per cent of the sad reality. Countless lives have been lost and many have been displaced from their homes.
Despite the gravity of the situation, it seems that the Central Government is failing to acknowledge the seriousness.
Here is an insightful article from Scroll that throws light on the unresponsive Central Government:
According to Scroll, Lok Sabha member K.C. Venugopal had admitted that the situation has gone out of hand and the state is limited in its capacity. He pleaded that the entire operation should be taken over by the army and this situation should be declared as a national disaster.
Other members of the parliament have also criticised the centre for failing to give due attention.
Through my friends and relatives in Kerala, I have come to know that there are so many families trapped inside houses and stranded on their roofs, with little or no way to be rescued. Some parts of the state have been completely isolated, and there is no way to rescue except via air. Also, most of the people who have been rescued were stranded in dirty, muddy water and are in dire need of clean clothes, soap, clean drinking water, sanitary napkins, towels etc. Relief camps are also very dirty now and need to be cleaned. The conditions are worsening and becoming more fatal.
It breaks my heart to see that a lot of people within India are still not aware of what’s been happening or at least don’t understand the seriousness of the situation, because mainstream media is sadly not covering and broadcasting this news enough. I need a that this is the result of environmental degradation. And we are all equally responsible for that. I choose to believe that we would learn from our past mistakes and hope for a better future.
Right now the people of Kerala need our help and not our sympathy. This relief work will take several months for people to recover, after which this country would need a solid long-term strategy.
Let’s come together as a nation to help our people for humanity sake.
Here is how can you help:
- Spread the word about what’s happening in Kerala on social media to push the Central Government for more relief. (₹500 Crores are not enough)
- Donate online: https://keralarescue.in/reg_contrib/ or use the Paytm app to directly donate to the Kerala CM’s Distress Relief Fund.
- You can also donate in kind to collection centres or using the Amazon app/website. The Kerala rescue website keralarescue.in/district_needs also has what each district collection centre requires in terms of food and non-food items for the next seven days.
- I would also like to dissuade people from jumping the gun and going to Kerala. Rescue workers and organisations are having difficulty managing the whole thing. At the same time, keep yourselves updated on what’s happening and be helpful wherever you can.