In August 2018, the southern state of Kerala in India faced its worst floods in nearly a century. Torrential monsoon rains triggered devastating floods and landslides, displacing over a million people and taking the lives of over 400 individuals. The disaster disrupted the lives and livelihoods of people across the state, causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture. However, in the face of this adversity, Kerala witnessed an unprecedented outpouring of support. Individuals, corporate entities, and governments across the nation and from around the world stepped forward to contribute to the relief and rehabilitation efforts. Entities like Reliance Foundation and international assistance from countries such as the UAE, Maldives, Qatar, and Thailand played a significant role in aiding the state in its hour of need. The collective response to this calamity underscored the power of unity and human compassion in addressing such crises.
Reliance Foundation’s Contribution:
Reliance Foundation proved to be a beacon of hope in Kerala’s dark hour, extending its support through diverse measures. The foundation contributed an astounding 71 Crores INR to the relief efforts, greatly assisting the state’s recovery process.
In addition to monetary aid, the foundation’s involvement was multifaceted and extensive. Operating in six out of the 14 affected districts, namely Ernakulam, Wayanad, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta, the foundation provided critical updates on weather and shelter locations via its Information Services. They also set up toll-free helpline numbers to aid state disaster management authorities.
The foundation expanded its aid beyond just information and money. Recognizing the immediate needs of the affected people, it identified 15,000 families to provide dry ration kits, utensils, shelter necessities, shoes, and clothes. Through its retail arm, Reliance Retail, it supplied essentials such as ready-to-eat food, glucose, and sanitary napkins to around 160 government-run relief camps, sheltering approximately 50,000 people.
Furthermore, it coordinated with the Government of Maharashtra to transport 2.6 metric tonnes of relief material by air to Kerala. This comprised 7.5 lakh apparel units, 1.5 lakh pairs of footwear, and an assortment of dry groceries. Through these concerted efforts, the Reliance Foundation demonstrated its commitment to aid Kerala in dire need.
International Assistance in Kerala Flood Relief:
The international community responded to the Kerala floods with remarkable generosity and solidarity. Some nations that stand out for their substantial contributions are the UAE, Maldives, Qatar, and Thailand.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to a large expatriate Keralite population, pledged assistance worth Rs 700 crore. The country’s Vice-President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, personally oversaw the establishment of a national emergency committee to expedite aid to Kerala.
Despite its strained diplomatic relations with India at the time, the Maldives demonstrated humanitarian concern by offering $50,000 for the relief operations. Qatar, another Gulf nation with a sizable Indian workforce, contributed approximately Rs 35 crore to the relief efforts.
Thailand, a fellow Asian nation, also stepped forward with monetary assistance to support Kerala’s recovery.
These international contributions augmented domestic relief efforts, strengthened diplomatic ties, and displayed global unity in the face of disaster. The support underscored the idea that in times of adversity, international borders blur, and nations come together to uphold shared human values. The generous aid provided by these nations was a testament to this spirit of global solidarity.
The Indian Government’s Response:
The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was swift in responding to the devastating floods in Kerala. PM Modi made an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas and announced an immediate relief package of Rs 500 crore, in addition to the Rs—100 crore announced earlier by the Home Minister, Rajnath Singh. The government mobilized the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Navy, and Air Force for rescue and relief operations, with thousands of soldiers deployed and hundreds of boats and helicopters used to reach stranded residents and distribute relief materials.
As for the international aid offers, the Ministry of External Affairs adopted a policy in line with previous practices, preferring to tackle the disaster through domestic efforts. Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for the Ministry, stated, “In line with the existing policy, the Government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts.” Despite the significant aid pledges from various countries, the Indian government politely declined any foreign financial aid for Kerala flood relief. The official stance was that India would rely on its resources and domestic capacities to respond to the disaster while expressing gratitude for the global community’s readiness to assist. This policy indicated India’s evolving stance as a country capable of handling its internal crises while fostering the spirit of self-reliance.
Conclusion and Moving Forward:
Kerala’s recovery and rehabilitation efforts following the devastating floods continue to be a testament to collective resilience and hope. A wide array of domestic and international organizations have contributed consistently to help rebuild the state. The aid has been delivered in various forms – from monetary contributions and essential supplies to infrastructural support and workforce to reconstruct damaged areas.
The road to rehabilitation is long, requiring sustained efforts and resources over an extended period. It involves restoring physical infrastructure like roads, bridges, and houses and rebuilding lives, including ensuring access to necessary services like education, health care, and livelihood opportunities.
Continued support and aid are critical in this process. Long after the immediate crisis has passed, the affected communities need assistance to regain their footing and return to everyday life. This support is not just about material resources; it includes providing psychological support, skill development for alternate livelihoods where necessary, and help navigating the bureaucratic processes of claiming aid and insurance.
The disaster in Kerala underscores the reality that in such situations, every contribution matters, no matter how small. The unity and compassion shown in the aftermath of the floods have been heartening, and these efforts must persist. As Kerala continues its journey towards recovery and rehabilitation, the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility is a beacon of hope for the future.
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