Singapore’s home-grown humanitarian non-governmental organisation (NGO) Mercy Relief has completed its second distribution of relief supplies to 305 families from flood-struck rural villages in Cuddalore, one of the worst affected districts in South India. As part of its ongoing disaster relief efforts for the South India monsoon floods, Mercy Relief’s second Relief Distribution Operations (RDO) was carried out in Kuppankulam village on 19th January and in Kodikalkuppam village on 27th January 2016.
Relief supplies of over 7 tonnes (7,015kg) were distributed at Mercy Relief’s most recent RDO where beneficiaries received relief packs comprising daily food items, family hygiene kits and blankets. Each relief pack is able to last a family of five for 15 days. The villagers of Kuppankulam and Kodikalkuppam have received very limited relief since the floods began in November 2015. Mercy Relief’s RDO will help the families in these villages to tide over the current period until income generating activities resume and food stocks become more readily available.
Agricultural farmlands and businesses that have been damaged by the flood waters have impacted the income opportunities for villagers due to the decreased demand for daily wage labour. A large number of families are currently relying on hard-earned savings or help from their relatives to buy daily essentials.
Mercy Relief is currently focusing on livelihood recovery programmes for worst flood-hit communities in South India. The public can continue to contribute to Mercy Relief’s fundraising campaign, which runs through to 31st January 2016.
