(Clockwise from top left) : Assistant Conservator of Forest Mr. Anaz MA and DFO Flying Squad, Mr. Raju Francis from the Kerala Forest Department receiving flood relief material from WCS-India staff, research assistants M N Santosh and Shivkumar. Distribution of the flood relief material among the flood-affected people.
Kochi, Oct 7: Household materials like utensils, blankets, soaps, sanitary napkins, footwear, sleeping mats, etc were distributed among the affected families in Kerala by the forest department staff. Staff at WCS-India headquarters in Bangalore pitched in and collected material that was handed over to the Kerala Forest Department which is helping families recoup from the disaster.
Country Director, WCS-India, Prakriti Srivastava, who is an IFS officer of the Kerala cadre, contributed Rs 20,000 towards the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.
The KFD has been in the forefront of the flood rescue operations, especially in remote and hilly regions, right from the beginning and rescued more than 2000 people who were isolated by the flood and landslides. It operated more than 24 relief camps where over 5000 people were taken care of. Even after the flood waters receded, the department was still involved in the cleaning operations with around 2000 staff deployed to clean houses, wells, remove garbage and animal carcasses, etc.