Published on: September 19, 2018

A month after the floods in Kerala, most people have returned to their homes and are trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. The task is daunting, the problems seem insurmountable, even for the most able-bodied among them. But consider how the odds stack up against those who, in addition to having lost everything, do not even have the health, strength and mobility needed to claw their way back to some semblance of normality.

On the 31st of August, Shemeema, one of our nurses, visited the home of SK, aged 39, in Pathanamthitta Dist. She says:

“He used to drive an auto rickshaw until an accident four years ago left him paralysed. He lives in a small two-room shack with asbestos roofing, with his wife and two school-going children. With no means of livelihood, they had been eking out an existence with the help of neighbours and friends.

“These generous benefactors have all themselves been badly affected by the floods. SK’s house was inundated and badly damaged. All his belongings were lost – not even a bed for him to lie on could be salvaged. When our social worker and I met him, he was inconsolable, and we were struck almost speechless by the hopelessness of his situation.

“To add to his woes, he has an inflammatory wound in his coccyx, for which surgery is urgently required. He is praying for help – of any kind – from any source”.

LET’S NOT LEAVE THEM ADRIFT…

As part of our flood relief and rehabilitation activities, Pallium India’s social workers have been on the ground in some of the worst affected areas. Their primary objective is to assess palliative care and other health-related needs among the victims. This database will be shared with concerned local authorities with whom we will work hand in hand. Our team also provides clinical support and distributes preventive medication.

You can also support us. Click here to know how: Let’s not leave them adrift