Cyclone Fani: Odisha struggles to rebuild, here's how you can donate....

Cyclone Fani, which battered the Odisha coast last week, wreaked havoc across one of India’s poorest states. While preparedness helped bringing down fatalities, the damage to public infrastructure has been extensive.

Winds travelling at nearly 200 kilometre per hour tore through 14 districts in the state, affecting nearly 1.51 crore people in 16,647 villages, and killing 37 on May 8. Nearly 43,643 kilometre of transmission lines have been affected, leading to power outages, according to Odisha State Disaster Management Authority. Over five lakh houses have been damaged, it said.

The state’s especially affected and its recovery becomes impeded since one out of every three people in Odisha lives below the poverty line, according to UNICEF. 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a tweet, sought Rs 10,000 crore for energy infrastructure and Rs 7,000 crore for “disaster-proof houses” and telecom network that that can withstand extreme weather. The central government has so far given Rs 1,341 crore to cyclone-ravaged Odisha. But much more needs to be done.

Several citizens and organisations have come forward to help the state get back to normalcy.

Was  trying to  find  info  on how to contribute. 

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Here’s how you can help.

1. Chief Minister’s Relief Fund

You can donate online directly to the Odisha Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. There is the option to write a cheque or a bank draft in favour of “Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Odisha”,

 payable at Bhubaneswar, with the following mailing address:

Additional Secretary to Government

Chief Minister’s Relief Fund

General Administration & Public Grievance Department

Odisha Secretariat, Bhubaneswar-751001

2.  Amazon

Ecommerce major Amazon has initiated a donation drive on its platform to rehabilitate the livelihoods of disaster-hit families. You can make a contribution by scanning the QR code using your Amazon app or make an UPI payment here.

3. Zomato

Victims of Cyclone Fani being served food by the Feeding India volunteers

Foodtech unicorn Zomato has collaborated with Feeding India and announced a relief drive to provide succour for victims in the cyclone-affected area and pave the way for public participation. 

You can contribute to food relief directly through the Zomato platform, or sign up to be a volunteer to provide assistance on ground or even drop off essential items like utensils and clothing here.

4.  Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is assisting the rehabilitation operations in Odisha

Habitat for Humanity India, a non-profit organisation, has deputed its Rapid Response Team and mobilised volunteers to assist in recovery operations and rebuilding the lives of families affected by Cyclone Fani. In the first phase of the response, 
Habitat India is reaching out to affected individuals and families with humanitarian aid kits and emergency shelter kits. You can donate here.

5.  Paytm

Fintech major Paytm has opened up contributions on its digital payments app to enable users to contribute to relief and rehabilitation efforts in Odisha. Users have the option to contribute to the Odisha Cyclone Relief Fund on the Paytm app.

6. SEEDS India

SEEDS India is reaching out to 100,000 people in the most affected regions with safe drinking water, hygiene kits, and medical camps. The not-for-profit organisation is providing safe drinking water to affected families through local water treatment and organising health camps to provide urgent medical attention to the victims of Cyclone Fani.

To make a contribution, visit this.

 

7. SOS Children’s Villages of India

SOS Children’s Villages of India has set up two relief camps, reaching out to 1,000 affected families who are most vulnerable, with safe childcare spaces for children being created in these relief camps.

Make a donation online here.

8. ActionAid Association

ActionAid Association has its emergency response teams on the ground, who are ready to do an early assessment and find out needs of impacted populations. ActionAid teams, which are closely monitoring the situation in Odisha and West Bengal, have been working with the state government and other institutions, supporting the evacuation of locals and spreading early warning measures with the local community radio.

To donate to ActionAid’s Cyclone Fani relief fund, go here.

9.  Goonj

Non-governmental organisation Goonj is accepting monetary contributions as well as materials including food, utensils, clothes, toiletries, essentials, and other items. To make a contribution, visit this page.

10. Ketto

Crowdfunding platform Ketto is helping raise funds for the affected families

Disaster relief NGO Rapid Response has asked for Rs 10,00,000 on the crowdfunding website Ketto, to distribute 1,000 relief kits to 1,000 worst affected families. Make your contribution online here.

11. Milaap

Milaap is aiming to raise a total of Rs 1 crore for the victims

Organised by the Kalinga Swaraj Foundation, the campaign is aiming to raise a total of Rs 1 crore, of which over Rs 11.6 lakh has already been received. You can make a donation by clicking here.

12.  Oxfam India

Oxfam has thrown open its platform for monetary contributions from people

NGO Oxfam India is looking out for monetary donations, which will go towards water, emergency food supplies, shelter and hygiene kits, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery. To donate, go here.

13. HelpAge India

HelpAge is providing relief intervention for those affected in Cyclone Fani

The NGO has created a portal and is accepting monetary donations to rebuild the lives of those affected by the cyclone. The organisation will use the money for rations, medical supplies, and other relief materials.

To make a contribution, click here.

14. World Vision

The international disaster management agency has opened a relief fund donations page for India and Bangladesh. The agency will release the funds to their local partners doing relief work. Make a donation online here.

15.  DonateKart

This website has listed a few essential items such as rice, water, wheat, and sanitary napkins among others that people can choose from and donate. You can buy items for relief by clicking here.

16. UNICEF 

UNICEF is welcoming donations for children’s healthcare and nutrition in Odisha

UNICEF is asking for donations towards children’s healthcare, nutrition, safe drinking water and protection. It accepts donations in US dollars. You can make a contribution here.

Bloomberg quint

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