Organises medical camps, distributes relief materials

A team of volunteers of the US-based Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) came to Chennai’s aid, after the roads were reopened, to exercise relief and rehabilitation of the affected people.

The organisation has announced 2,00,000 $ (approx Rs 1,33,51,890) in immediate relief to aid the flood-hit Chennai.

The relief material was distributed in the poorer pockets of city, including Washermanpet, VOC Nagar, Puliyanthope, Srinivaspuram, Kanikapuram, Wanagaram and Slums around Mount Road in collaboration with its Hyderabad-based implementation partner, Sahayata Trust.

The team, led by Syed Abdul Najeeb, reached Chennai December 5 and distributed the aid. “In the first phase of our relief work, we reached out to at least 5,000 flood affected people,” Najeeb said, adding that they have already distributed materials to about 1,500 people and will continue the relief work for a week more if situations warrants.

“We have already released Rs 65 lakh in our first phase. This money is being used to provide ‘Survival Kits’ that include food grains, sanitary items, linen and clothing, mosquito nets, candles and medicines to the affected people,” said IMRC Director Manzoor Ghori.

Ghori, who is on a short trip to India to assess the organisation’s work, visited Chennai and met the flood victims to observe firsthand the gravity of the situation.

“Water has receded now from most localities and life is coming back to normalcy. But, it will take months to restore the damages caused, particularly to poor families,” he added.

In addition, the IMRC organised two health camps in Washermanpet and Puliyanthope localities, attending to 1,000 patients. Free medicines and medical advises were given to the victims of the heavy deluge caused due to the low pressure in the sea.

“We have sought proposals from local bodies and other organisations in Chennai to speed up rehab work and will release more funds soon” said Aneesuddin, CEO of Sahayata Trust.