Flood Relief Work 2021
Kanyakumari District experienced heavy rainfall in OctoberNovember 2021, with cyclonic pressure from November 12 to 14 inundating lowlying villages in the MIDS operational area. The situation worsened when the shutters of major dams were opened due to heavy inflow, particularly affecting families living on the banks of the Thamirabarani River. MIDS was at the forefront, rescuing floodaffected families, relocating them to safer places, and providing relief assistance to the victims.
Key Initiatives
Distribution of Essential Items
Bed Sheets and Sleeping Mats: On November 15, 2021, MIDS distributed bed sheets and sleeping mats to 100 families affected by the flood in coordination with the district administration.
Cooked Meals: Provided cooked meals to inmates of flood relief camps at Government Middle School, Pallikal, and Government Middle School, Mankadu for several days.
Relief Food Packets: Distributed dry ration packets containing essential grocery items to 475 floodaffected families in the MIDS operational area. Staff members and volunteers ensured the efficient distribution of these relief food kits.
Sanitary Toilet Construction
Rebuilding Sanitary Facilities: Heavy rain and floodwater damaged the sanitary toilets of many rural poor families in the MIDS operational area. With generous financial assistance from Catholic Relief Services, MIDS assisted 10 families in constructing new sanitary toilets, providing financial support of Rs. 12,000/ to each family. This assistance was invaluable, especially when the families had lost everything in the flood.
Food Kits to Sri Lankan Refugees
Assisted 60 Sri Lankan Refugee families with essential food packets, ensuring they had access to basic nutrition during the crisis.
House Repair and Maintenance
Financial Support for Urgent Repairs: The November flood destroyed or damaged numerous houses in the MIDS operational area. Poor families with limited income, already impacted by the COVID19 pandemic, were helpless. MIDS provided Rs. 20,000 each to 19 most deserving families to carry out urgent repair and maintenance of their damaged houses. Beneficiaries utilized the support properly, with many availing credit from their SelfHelp Groups to complete the maintenance work.
