Triratna News

Kerala Floods - Relief and Rehabilitation

On Tue, 4 September, 2018 - 16:59
Sadayasihi's picture
Sadayasihi

Kerala is suffering its worst floods for 100 years. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced and are living in over 1,000 relief camps set up in the State. There have been a number of deaths and many serious injuries. Many are missing. The numbers are rising all the time. But even in such disaster, ugly face of untouchability rises and Dalits are discriminated during relief, as reported by India Today on July 24th, 2018. It happened earlier in Gujarat Earthquake; even the Tsunami could not wash away caste.

The Nagarjuna Institute, Nagaloka, has many alumni and Dhamma Mitras from Kerala. Many have been further trained in social work by the Manuski Trust, Pune, which is supporting the Alumni in relief and rehabilitation work. Many of these alumni have themselves been displaced, but they are doing all they can to help others by establishing a relief camp and other activities. 

Dalits and the poorest people tend to suffer the most in natural calamities, not only because they have the poorest housing, and little or no reserves, but also from discrimination in relief and rehabilitation work. There have already been a number of cases reported of discrimination against Dalits in the relief camps. Two of the worst hit areas, Idukki and Vayanadu, have a high proportion of Dalits. Triratna activists are working in these areas. Because they come from the Dalit community, they understand the needs of the community and how they suffer discrimination at such times.

“As the rains subside, thousands and thousands of people will have NOTHING when they return to their homes.
 

Please help us URGENTLY financially or in kind (collection centres Manuski, Pune, Nagaloka, Nagpur) with relief and long term rehabilitation work.” - Lokamitra

You can make a donation via the Manuski Justgiving page (please state that it is for the Floods) or through Milaap (crowdfunding website)

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