Even as Kerala continues to be battered by the worst floods the state has faced in nine decades, companies and individuals have come together to contribute to the ongoing relief efforts.
Responding to calls to order relief materials online, Amazon enabled the option on Friday. Now, users from around the world can order flood relief materials – from bed sheets to utensils to hygiene products for those in dire need.
List of food and essentials relief camps (in Idukki, #Kerala) are looking for, via Prasanth Nair ('Collector Bro')'s FB.@amazonIN @bigbasket_com How about having an option to order some of these online and let you guys handle the logistics? #KeralaFloods #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/lvuJ0aJI7A
— Nikhil Narayanan (@nikhilnarayanan) August 12, 2018
While the option is available on the home page of the Amazon India app, desktop and international users can go to bit.ly/amazonkerala to place the orders.
The page dedicated to the relief efforts says, “Torrential rain has hit Kerala with the result that there have been landslides and a grim flood like situation. Lakhs of people have been affected and are living in relief camps. Amazon is working with implementation partners and state/national disaster coordination committees to support those affected by the flood. We believe that with your support, we can play an important role in mitigating the effects of the disaster and provide immediate relief to victims.”
Users can select an NGO whose flood relief wish list they may browse for products to buy. Once these products are selected, added to cart and checked out, they can be added to a Gift Registry Address.
According to Amazon, Habitat for Humanity, World Vision India and Goonj are three of the organisations currently attempting to make essential supplies available to the thousands affected by the floods across the state.
The government-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has also stepped up to do its bit following several complaints of communication breakdowns during rescue operations.
BSNL announced unlimited free calls for a week from Friday in Kerala's worst-hit districts – Wayanad, Idukki, Alleppey and Pathanamthitta. The service is inclusive of unlimited SMS and 20-minute free calls to non-BSNL numbers per day.
Rains in Kerala have killed 164 people across the state, announced Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a press conference held on Friday morning. Thousands across the state are still stranded with rescue operations in full swing. NDRF, Army and the Navy have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Idukki, Wayanad and Malappuram districts are the most affected areas in the state with most rivers in full spate.