Here’s how you can help the victims of the Kerala floods
The water level in flood-hit Kerala has started to recede, but rebuilding the southern Indian state could take years.
After all, the calamity, the worst Kerala has seen in a century, has displaced over a million people who are currently staying at relief camps.
As the rains ease, the focus will be on aiding those whose houses and livelihoods were destroyed, a scale of rebuilding which will require billions of dollars.
For those who want to contribute towards the cause but don’t know how, here’s a guide:
Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund
Monetary contributions can be transferred directly to the Kerala government’s bank account with the State Bank of India.
Account-holder name: Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund
Bank: State Bank of India
Account number: 67319948232
IFSC: SBIN0070028
Branch: City Branch, Trivandrum
UPI: keralacmdrf@sbi
Donations can be made through cards, real-time mobile payments interface UPI, mobile wallets, internet banking, cheques, or demand drafts.
The Kerala government has also created an online donation channel (here) that accepts VISA, Mastercard, Rupay, and other international cards, besides net banking.
Another way to transfer money is via mobile-payments platform Paytm. The company has added a “donate” icon to the home screen of its app and website through which money can be transferred. Paytm has also said it will match the donations users make with an equal contribution from its side. On Aug. 18, the company said donations from its platform had crossed Rs10 crore ($1.4 million).
Contributions to the relief fund are exempt from taxation under India’s Income Tax Act.
Via e-commerce
Supplies can be provided via online retailers such as Amazon.in and BigBasket.
These portals allow shoppers to choose items to donate, pay for them, and place the order. The e-tailers do the rest free of cost.
Amazon India has tied up with relief organisations Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, Goonj, and Oxfam India. The website allows even people not residing in India to make donations. The grocery shopping app BigBasket has also tied up with Goonj.
To assist donors, the portals also have lists of products—such as sanitary napkins, soap, batteries, and water purifiers—desperately needed.
BigBasket is offering a 20% discount on next orders for shoppers who make a donation for the Kerala floods.
Relief groups
Donations can also be made directly to the relief organisations working in Kerala:
- Oxfam India accepts donations through its fundraising campaign on crowdfunding platform Ketto (here).
- Goonj accepts donations to its bank account and through its Ketto fundraising drive (here).
- Habitat for Humanity Rapid Response, and Indo Global Social Service Society, too, are running fundraising drives.
- Milaap has launched a campaign for the Kerala floods.
- HelpAge India, a non-profit for disadvantaged senior citizens, is also accepting contributions.
Local collection centres
In all major cities across India, individuals and groups are organising collection drives. These groups have been sending truckloads of supplies to Kerala.
While many of these are praiseworthy efforts, every initiative may not be authentic. So Quartz advises donors to verify things on their part before making contributions.