Flood Relief in India
The Need
The devastating floods that tore through Tamil Nadu in Southern India in December 2015 claimed several lives, left many people homeless in several regions of Tamil Nadu (including Chennai), and brought life to a virtual standstill for weeks. Heavy rains pounded the affected areas, throwing essential aspects of life out of order for countless individuals. Several communities, including Sri Lankan refugee camps that dot the state’s landscape, were deeply affected by these floods through their loss of crops, food supply, clothing, and shelter.
The Resources
With the support of IMHO USA, the emergency relief efforts of local partner NGO SAWED Trust (Social Action Women’s Education and Development Trust) were made possible in the flooded regions of Tamil Nadu. IMHO USA contributed $10,300 towards NGO SAWED Trust’s efforts to help restore food supply, clothing, shelter, and basic living necessities for all those in the affected regions.
The Solution
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are both international, non-political, non-sectarian spiritual organizations that are interrelated in their global missions. The twin organizations have been working for more than a century to provide humanitarian and social services to men, women, and children of all races and religions worldwide. For this project, IMHO Canada has partnered with Ramakrishna Mission to provide relief via distribution of food supply, clothing items, other essential living resources as outlined below:
Bed sheets and mats provided to approximately 200 families in the Triplicane area (Mar. 12, 2015)
Approximately 650 blankets distributed to the vulnerable living in Ganeshapuram
Cooked food distributed to approximately 500 flood-affected individuals near Nochikuppam, Beach (June 12, 2015)
Ramakrishna Math also initiated the following flood-relief efforts for this project in 2015:
Cooked food for approximately 6000 people in the Pattinapakka, Nadukuppam, and Triplicane areas (Dec. 12, 2015)
Cooked food for distribution in the Ramakrishnapuram area and in its surrounding communities
Provided tea for around 1250 people in the Mylapore area (Apr. 12, 2015)
Distributed bread and dry food items to about 80 people on Bheemana Garden Street
Cooked food for about 2000 individuals living in poverty near the Mundakanniyamman Railway Station (Apr. 12, 2015)
Gathered and provided clothing items to the vulnerable families and individuals living in the Triplicane area and near the Bucking Canal, near Luz
The Impact
Reversed land degradation from war and migration in recent years.
Increased agricultural opportunities and sustainable living for underserved communities in the area.
# of people directly benefited
# of people indirectly benefited
The Impact
Considerable advancements have been made through providing essential living supplies to the flood-affected families and individuals in Tamil Nadu. Previously, with the major impacts of the flood, several regions in Tamil Nadu were experiencing a loss of crops, food supply, clothing, and shelter. The project funds were used to help restore normalcy to the lives of those affected through provisions of relief packages containing nutritional support and basic living supplies. Approximately 385 families were able to benefit from these efforts and these supplies helped to ease their burden during this difficult time of recovery.
Working to help restore the flood-affected communities in Tamil Nadu with food supply, clothing items, shelter, and other basic living necessities has allowed them the resources that they need to rebuild their lives once again. This project works towards the UN Sustainable Development Goal #1 - No Poverty, as this goal strives to end poverty of all forms, despite the cause. These relief efforts will continue to help restore the affected communities of Tamil Nadu with the basic living supplies that they need to reconstruct their everyday lives.