The Mata Amritanandamayi Math will give ₹100,000 (US $1,200) to families who have lost a member in monsoon floods hitting the state again this year.
“My heart goes out to those families who have lost their loved ones,” said Amma. “I am praying that they are able to get back their self-confidence and attain peace and prosperity. We all need to reach out to those in need with compassion and service. It is only the love and compassion that flows from the heart that can help society in such times.”
Amma also said that she feels the recent flooding is due to indiscriminate chopping down of trees and other such abuses of nature.
The Math once again opened the Amrita Helpline that was created by Amrita University students during Kerala’s 2018 floods. At the Amritapuri Campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, volunteers with AYUDH (our youth wing) responded to phone calls and social media messages. Through the helpline, flood victims could access various forms of assistance.
In 2018, Amrita Helpline volunteers fielded more than 25,000 calls and connected more than 100,000 flood victims with appropriate relief services. This included government officials, the Navy, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Kerala State Police, local fishermen and other volunteer agencies.
The Math also encouraged people to reach out for help via its Amrita Kripa App, which is available for free download on Google Play. The app was developed during the 2018 floods to connect disaster victims with rescue teams and relief providers. People in need also gain access to clothing, food, medicines, and information to restore essential services like water, electricity and telephone.
In addition, the Math opened relief camps, especially in the districts of Wayanad and Idukki. During last year’s monsoon flooding, Math relief camps contributed a total of ₹100,000,000 (US $1,203,000) for immediate rescue and relief, as well as long-term recovery.
As the waters in Kerala receded this year, more than 100 people died due to the flooding. In last year’s Kerala floods, the death toll reached nearly 500.
