Wayanad landslides: Mobilisation of humanitarian aid in full swing

Humanitarian aid mobilisation for landslide victims in Kerala’s Wayanad underway with support from district administrations, social media groups, and volunteers.

Mobilisation of humanitarian aid is in full swing for victims of landslides that hit Wayanad district in Kerala with the support of various district administrations and socio-cultural organisations in the State. Collection centres have been opened at several places to receive packaged food items, emergency medicines, clothes and sanitation accessories for speedy delivery.

Social media groups are also actively engaged in coordinating the collection of essential items with the support of their volunteers in various districts. For effective delivery, most of the district administrations have called upon the volunteers to make use of the delivery support of the district-level cells constituted for the purpose.

An online campaign is also underway across the State encouraging people to contribute generously to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Apart from this, socio-cultural organisations have started mobilising their own funds to support the rehabilitation of affected families.

“We have called upon people to collect only new clothes other than sending bundles of used ones. Similarly, efforts are underway in various locations to sort it properly for a speedy delivery,” said a volunteer of Koottam, a Facebook community. He said the volunteers of the social media group had already reached out to affected families. 

Officials coordinating the relief aid collection at the Kozhikode Collectorate said they already despatched the first load of materials to Wayanad. “Volunteers are currently working on the collection and segregation of essential items for the next delivery,” they said.

Residents’ associations, drivers’ forums, neighbourhood groups and various youth organisations have been found leading the donation drive in various locations. Merchants’ associations and hoteliers are also contributing to the cause in response to the demands of their Wayanad counterparts who monitor the requirements.