Kerala is witnessing its most devastating resurgent monsoon in 100 years, with an excess rainfall of 41.17% (June 1 to August 17) flooding the state and damaging life and property. The CM tweeted that 11 districts have been put on red alert and even though the intensity of the rain had reduced on Friday, it is being predicted that the state may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday. While many people still remain unaware about the magnitude of destruction caused by the natural disaster, the death toll is alarmingly rising with every passing day. Although the number varies from one media group to another, reportedly, 324 people have been killed.
After an aerial survey of the state the Prime Minister has announced an additional relief fund of 500 crores while the CM of Kerala, Pinayari Vijayan had informed the PM that the first estimate of loss in figures is as high as 19,500 crores and had requested 2000 crore as funds from the centre. Considering the intensity of the situation, CM’s from different states have also announced relief funds for Kerala.
Meanwhile, NGOs, students, and other organizations in different states of India have come forward to provide help and assistance to people who’ve been adversely affected by the inclement disaster. Kerala is in a dire need of funds and is unable to provide basic amenities to its people. Over 3.53 lakh people have been shifted to over 2000 relief camps while many still await rescue operations. The internet has played an immensely positive role in informing people and enabling people by providing them with the opportunity to contribute to the relief measures.
In this scenario, here is an attempt to provide information about different students initiatives operating in Delhi and connect people who would want to make a contribution by providing relevant details.
1) JNU
Students from JNU have come together to coordinate fund collection on the campus. They’ve mentioned that the need of the hour is financial support and they are open to all contributions no matter how small. They’ve planned to reach out to the students in the campus and are open to contributions by anybody who may or may not belong the campus. Anyone who wants to make contributions can contact: Najeeb 9871089876
2) Delhi University
Different colleges under Delhi University have set up collection points at different locations on their college campuses. In colleges like St, Stephen’s, the collection drive will remain open until the 23rd of August, while Miranda house will probably finish the collection by Tuesday. The Malayali Students Fraternity Maithry DU too had started a fund collection drive and has assigned volunteers to every college (under DU) for the same. The collection drives are open to the collection of items of basic necessities (unused) along with financial support. Paytm contact: 9946770555
3) Jamia Millia Islamia
The students of JMI have started a collection drive at Gate 7, and are accepting donations via cash (no matter how big or small). They are also collecting medicines, daily use items, clothes (not old and worn out) as well as packaged food items. For queries, one may contact Izza 8750670112.
4) NIFT
The students of NIFT Delhi too have started a collection drive and have requested students as well as people for whom south Delhi is a convenient location to drop off their items for donation at NIFT campus by Monday between 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. One may refer to the following for further details: Anam 8175053660
5) Goonj
The team has joined forces with Big Basket to send relief collections to those affected by the floods in Kerala. The process of contributing to the same involves a buying a basic kit (rice, lentil, sugar) worth ₹151. Big Basket will donate 20% of the contribution. Goonj has also set up collection points at various locations in Delhi to collect necessary items of daily use, medicines packed foods, etc. They have set up their collection points at Karkardooma, East Delhi; Narayana Vihar, West Delhi, Palam Vihar, and Vasant Vihar South Delhi.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences is collecting basic items including medicines, packed food and clothes in good conditions for the victims of Kerala Flood. They also need volunteers from Delhi to sort out and pack the collected items.
For those who can’t make it to collection drives, there are other options for donating money to the flood victims. One can directly donate to the Kerala CM’s Distress Relief Fund through a bank transfer. There are popular e-commerce sites like Amazon that have partnered with NGO’s to provide relief. One can buy necessary items from Amazon which will be distributed by the partnering NGOs. Other popular apps like Paytm has an icon you can click to provide any amount of donation directly to the CMDRF.
The flood has caused havoc in the state and the unprecedented rain hasn’t yet come to a halt. The death toll has been rising and the people are falling short of basic necessities. The issue did not receive the required attention by mainstream media until the crisis aggravated, thus leaving many people still clueless about the gravity of the issue. The state needs the nation and its people to rebuild itself again, every small contribution anyone will make would count as important.
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