Is kerala flood relief fund actually reaching the needy?

Kerala popularly known as Gods own Country experienced the worst natural disaster of the times it has seen so far in the form of flood and landscapes, which not only jeopardized the life of millions of people but also the state at large.

Kerala flood caught national as well as international attention, credit goes to social media and news agencies. And to rebuild the state, chief minister of kerala requested people across globe to donate generously to the fund created exclusively for this purpose. People have contributed to the fund whole heartedly, looking at the plight of state and the suffering of flood victims.

I was in kerala during the flood and has seen the disaster myself. Many people have been rendered homeless, they have no idea where to go and settle down after leaving the relief camp, in totality they have to start from scratch. Those with their houses intact will have to buy in new appliances to bring life back normalcy to their houses, as all appliances including gas stoves were submerged in water. Shopkeepers were the worst effect as they had ordered goods well in advance for Onam (biggest festival in kerala), were all damaged in rain, when water entered their shops. In all these floods has not let anyone unaffected, everyone has been effected, intensity may vary on situational basis.

But there are few thoughts which still haunt the minds of the people. ie will the flood relief funds be used adequately for the rehabilitation purpose or not? WONERING what made me to think so? Immediately after flood, when I went out. People were happy on one hand that Kerala received support globally in the hour of need but they were doubtful that will the funds actually reach the real beneficiaries or not?

There fear came true in few days, when govt officials appointed at relief camps were indulged in act of robbery and were caught red handed by the people at relief camps. This is ridiculous, how can someone think of doing such demenial act even in the midst of a huge crisis like this. This was just the beginning of such incidents, soon many such stories started cropping up from other relief camps too.

With witness to all these incidents, I feel the fear of the masses is justified about the usage of funds which has been send exclusively for the rehabilitation of flood and flood victims. Government of kerala should take steps to ensure that every single penny send towards rehabilitation work should be used for it exclusively. Any lacuna in it should be dealt sternly. Because, if Kerala government is not able remove the extreme fear about misappropriation of fund from the minds of people, then they may not come forward to support the kerala in any crisis which may crop up in future.

People from all walks of life have donated their money for flood victims assuming that it will reach the needy and government will ensure it. As the demand for fund was done by the government so they have the responsibility to ensure its proper usage among the needy. People trusted the government while transferring funds so now it’s time to retain their trust.

I think government of kerala should form a committee of people and make them directly responsible for any lacuna arising about funds misappropriation, support not reaching the needy, plan of action for rehabilitation etc. Last but not the least, an honest report on the funds received and its expenditure at periodical intervals. People have the right to know about it. It’s the duty of the government to make these details available to the masses to ensure crystal clear view of the operations.

The slogan during the floods was “we are together” and now towards the path of rebuilding kerala, slogan has to be “together we will’

Many of you would be thinking what’s the purpose of this write up, coin has two sides, we have seen one side during the flood(disaster) now it’s time to see the other side too (flourishment). Most importantly to retain the faith of people in saying that “lending helping hands during crisis” is a good gesture.