In the wake of devastating monsoon floods and landslides that struck Kerala and Tamil Nadu in August 2024, Caritas India has taken a leading role in providing relief and rehabilitation to affected communities. A high-level delegation from Caritas India’s executive team, led by Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director, and Fr. Antony Fernandes, Associate Director, recently visited the disaster-hit regions to assess the situation and coordinate the humanitarian response.

The Wayanad district of Kerala was one of the worst affected areas, with devastating landslides burying entire villages under debris. Caritas India has pledged to support 525 households in the initial phase through Unconditional Fund Transfers, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) interventions, and the provision of Non-Food Items. Fr. Jolly Puthenpura emphasized that Caritas India’s commitment extends for another six months, focusing on long-term resilience and sustainable recovery.

Caritas India actively participated in a Catholic Church response coordination meeting organized by the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) at the Pastoral Centre in Mananthavady Diocese, Wayanad. The meeting brought together prominent church leaders, including KCBC President Baselios Mar Cleemis and Bishop Jose Pulickal, Chairman of the Justice, Peace, and Development (JPD) Commission. Bishops from the northern dioceses of Kerala also attended the crucial gathering, where Fr. Jolly Puthenpura shared Caritas India’s plans for responding to the Wayanad landslides.

In collaboration with Kerala Social Service Forum (KSSF), Caritas India and CRS organized a coordination meeting with Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSS) partners. This meeting aimed to ensure better coordination and synergy among the DSSS teams for an effective response to the Wayanad and Calicut landslides. Fr. Jolly elaborated on Caritas India’s response plans, providing the DSSS directors and staff with a clear picture of the current and future operations. This collaborative effort enabled the DSSS teams to align their activities and strategies, ensuring a more coordinated and efficient response to the disaster.

The Caritas India and CRS team also visited the flood and landslide-affected areas in Gudalur and Ooty, Tamil Nadu. On 12th August 2024, they participated in a flood response kit distribution program organized by the Udhagamandalam Social Service Society (USSS) in Gudalur. The distribution program provided essential relief kits to the affected families, including food supplies, hygiene items, and other necessary goods. The delegation also toured the flood and landslide-affected villages, interacting with community members and gaining valuable insights into the challenges faced by the affected populations.

The visit of the Caritas India management team to the monsoon flood and landslide-affected areas in Kerala and Tamil Nadu has been marked by significant achievements. The participation in coordination meetings with KCBC and DSSS partners ensured a well-coordinated response to the crisis, while the direct engagement with the affected communities provided critical insights for tailoring future interventions. Caritas India remains committed to supporting the affected populations in their recovery journey, with a focus on long-term resilience and sustainable development.