Emergency Chennai Flood Relief

The heavy floods that affected Chennai in December 2015 stays afresh even now in the minds of those who witnessed the dreadful event. To mitigate the impact, Bhumi had provided necessary support through the distribution of household utilities and other survival essentials to the affected. Bhumi had also carried out various rehabilitation activities to help areas around Chennai in recovering from the tremendous damage and loss to infrastructure. Volunteers analysed the condition of various schools, shelter homes and orphanages in these areas, and understood the on-ground reality from the local residents. Thereafter, restoration work started where such help was indispensable.

Home of Hope, in Thirunindravur (on the outskirts of Chennai) for 32 children, was one of the badly affected shelter homes. Bhumi, identifying the need, stepped up immediately to provide school uniforms, school utilities like books and school bags. Desktops were also installed in the home.

However, the home had a much bigger problem. The condition of the boys hostel needed immediate renovation. The walls were damaged, and required to be strengthened before being plastered.

Considering the mandate as per the Juvenile Justice Act for the Care & Protection of children, Bhumi started renovating the building. Pillar support for walls were provided. Walls were plastered and painted. The roof was reconstructed; and in no time, the boys hostel was restored and the surroundings were beautified. Library, dormitory and the warden's room were also constructed.

Although there's little control over natural disasters, we can certainly ensure reducing the impact by providing proper insfrastructure to the needy. This renovation was more than giving shelter to children; a drop in the ocean of measures to achieve the Global Goal of poverty reduction and the UNISDR's goal of reducing number of disaster affected people through the construction of stronger abodes.