India Tomorrow
KOZHIKODE: The Kerala unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has launched the first phase of a Rs. 10-crore rehabilitation plan for victims of the devastating Wayanad landslides.
JIH Kerala President P. Mujeeburahman, addressing a press conference at Hira Centre, JIHK state headquarters, announced that the relief project is based on a professional survey report and is focussed on addressing the immediate needs of the victims.
He said temporary shelters would be provided for dialysis patients, bedridden individuals, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups until the government arranged permanent residential facilities.
In addition to housing, the project will ensure education continuity from primary to higher secondary levels, in collaboration with Wadi Rahma School in Kodiyathoor.
The Integrated Education Council of India (IECI) will facilitate higher education for students affected by the disaster, offering additional scholarships to those studying outside the district.
Employment opportunities will also be created to support the financial upliftment of the affected individuals.
The JIH Kerala chief highlighted the timely government intervention in coordinating rehabilitation activities and stressed the need for proper social auditing of all projects.
Mr Mujeeburrahman also urged the Central government to allocate an emergency relief fund following the Prime Minister’s visit to the disaster-stricken areas. He also advocated for a scientific study to assess and relocate residents from disaster-prone zones in Kerala, an ecologically sensitive region.
The Wayanad landslide, which occurred on July 30, 2024, devastated areas including Chooralmala, Muthanga, and Mundakkai, with Mundakkai suffering the worst devastation. The disaster affected nearly 47.37 km² of the Meppadi Gram Panchayat, displacing local residents and migrant workers. The death toll stands at over 400, with many still missing, and the actual toll may be closer to 550-600 as many bodies remain buried under debris.
JIH Kerala, through its Ideal Relief Wing (IRW), was among the first responders, deploying volunteers and providing crucial assistance, including distributing over 500 emergency kits and supplying 50 freezers to preserve bodies during rescue operations.
As survivors were relocated to government camps, JIH Kerala distributed more than 500 camp kits and provided psychological support through the Ethical Medical Forum and Student Medical Group.
JIH Kerala has played a pivotal role in relocating survivors, providing ration kits and securing new accommodations.
The psychological impact of the landslide has been profound, with survivors struggling to cope with the trauma. There is an urgent need for mitigation measures, including relocating people from landslide-prone areas, restricting certain land uses, and installing early warning systems based on ground condition monitoring.
JIH Kerala is committed to standing with the affected communities and supporting them in their journey toward recovery.
The press meeting was also addressed by State Vice President M.K. Muhammad Ali, Secretary Shihab Pookkottoor, and Relief Cell Convenor Shabeer Koduvally.
