The state of Kerala, has been suffering from floods caused due to unusually heavy rain. Over 400 people have died due to the floods, high water levels have destroyed the livelihood of several in Kerala. With the water levels receding now and the rehabilitation process underway, people are making every effort to get their lives back on track. Governments of states, other countries and even corporates are uniting at this time of need to assist the people of Kerala in every possible way. Here’s what five such brands are doing to help:
Mobiistar
International smartphone brand, Mobiistar is helping the people in Kerala by providing safe drinking water and support to clean houses. The company set up three vans that have traversed the length and breadth of the affected areas providing potable water and house cleaning supplies that included phenyl, Dettol, bathroom lotion, washing soap, bathing soap, milk powder and towels that were distributed across Thrissur, Aleppy, Pathanamthittah, Ernakulam and Idukki. Apart from this, Mobiistar’s Helping Hands are also providing free service for water damaged phones and a 50% discount on phone parts between August 28 and September 11.
Uber
Uber ran a collection drive in Chennai and Bengaluru to help the effected in Kerala and Kodagu. Anyone taking an Uber could donate relief items to the driver partners. They requested people to donate only packaged baby food, antiseptics, unused batteries, candles, torches and sanitary pads as these items would help people in meeting their basic requirements. All these donated items were passed to an authorized collection points in their cities.
Diageo India
Over the years, Diageo India has extended its support towards relief efforts during natural calamities across the country including the Chennai Floods. The unprecedented rains have caused severe damage to not just property and crops in the state but also led to the loss of lives, making it one of the worst disasters in the state. In wake of the calamity in Kerala, leading beverage alcohol company Diageo India donated Rs. 1 Crore towards the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met with Diageo India officials and acknowledged the company’s contribution towards the relief efforts in the state.
Micromax
Being a homegrown brand, Micromax has always best understood the pulse of the nation and the needs of its citizens. So, this time, when one part of our country was in severe distress, Micromax and its employees didn’t blink an eye before going all out – they were the first ones to set up free medical camps in the affected areas in association with Kochi City Police and VPS Lakeshore Hospital. These medical camps have expert doctors in different specializations who will be providing the flood victims with a full body check-up, catering to any specific ailments and giving them free medication. The first medical camp was set up in Kerala at Cheranallore, Kochi and was inaugurated on 27th August. Over the next couple of days, in the four camps that were set up saw over 700 camp attendees and availing the services being offered.
In the coming week, 2-3 camps will be conducted in Kuttanadu which is the most affected area in Kerala. On the 2nd of September, a camp is being set up in West Kadungallur with the aim of reaching out to even more people and giving them the help and attention needed.
ACC Limited
ACC Limited, one of India’s leading producers of cement and ready-mix concrete stepped in with resources, manpower and logistical support to provide on-ground relief and rehabilitation to assist people and local authorities in the flood impacted regions of Kerala. Along with contributions by ACC Trust, ACC employees immediately donated one day’s salary to the humanitarian effort. Apart from financial aid, the leadership has leveraged the company’s resources to support relief and rehabilitation, while also collaborating and mobilizing its channel partners to help in these efforts.
ACC established a Control Center in Kochi along with an assistance helpline to co-ordinate relief measures in various districts. 18 ACC Information Kiosks were set up in flood affected areas to pass on information and requests for specific relief to the Control Centre. 11 ACC Help vans have been transporting essential food items, water, emergency lamps and more to marooned people. A Mobile Maintenance Van unit from its Madukkarai Chennai plant was dispatched with equipment for welding, plumbing, electric work and cleaning equipment and is moving across various sites in the State.
Brands have helped those affected in Kerala in many ways and are continuing to do so.It’s time we all stand strong in our support for the state and do our bit in contributing to their reintegration.
