Rebuilding flood-ravaged lives with love

Under Snehapoorvam Kozhikode, benefactors may meet beneficiaries and learn their specific needs

Picking up the pieces: Chamakkamannil Kandankutty and wife Devali keep toffees out in the sun to dry at their shop adjacent to their house at Kannadikkal on Sunday.

Even as Kozhikode was striving hard to gather materials to help the flood survivors start their lives anew, there were a few who were sceptical of the aid reaching the right hands. ‘Snehapoorvam Kozhikode’ (Kozhikode, with love) is a project specifically designed for such people, in which the benefactors get to meet the beneficiaries, understand their specific needs and hand over the aid in person.

Two days after the project was launched, the response has been overwhelming. “People were waiting for an opportunity to get involved personally. Families are coming forward to help other families get back on their feet,” said project coordinator U.P. Aekanathan.

Under the project, village officers prepare a list of genuine beneficiaries after conducting site inspections. Those wishing to help are put in contact with survivors. They may interact with each other. The survivors may let the benefactors know of their specific needs and the benefactors may help them accordingly.

Though the district administration has published a list of materials that need to be included in the kit that costs a minimum of ₹10,000, both parties, once they are in contact, may mutually decide on what should be included or excluded from the list.

“So far, the purchase of materials for 39 families has been completed. It will be handed over on Monday. More benefactors have come forward to sponsor around 140 families while at least 200 more have contacted us to get details of the project,” said Mr. Aekanathan.

However, there are many more families that have no benefactors. Those who wish to sponsor materials for the families shall first register at the 24x7 call centre set up by the district administration. The call centre, managed by volunteers from various colleges in the district, may be contacted on 0495-2378860 or 2378870.

The volunteers encourage direct contact between the benefactors and the beneficiaries. However, those who are unable to hand over the materials in person may deposit the kits at the counter set up at the DTPC office at Mananchira.