An Update On The Cyclone Fani And How You Can Help

Cyclone Fani, which took landfall in Puri on 3rd May, is the second most powerful cyclone to have hit Odisha. Categorized as an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’, Fani approached Odisha with a speed of 175 kilometres per hour. While the storm headed north and weakened after the 4th of May, it left the coastal areas of the state paralyzed in its wake. With the death toll at a 35 and lakhs of citizens left without food, water or electricity, Odisha is looking at a long rehabilitation period.

In the week leading up to the landfall of Fani, over 1 million residents were evacuated from vulnerable coastal areas into cyclone shelters on higher grounds – an effort that involved 43,000 volunteers and 7,000 shelter kitchens. The commendable preparations carried out by the Odisha government were a significant factor in keeping the death toll to a minimum, considering the fact that the last cyclone of this intensity that hit Orissa killed over 10,000 people.

Yet – an inconceivable number of people in Odisha are still left without food, water, electricity and shelter. The road to several villages were blocked by uprooted trees and damaged infrastructure, making it difficult to supply the residents with food and water. While many families stocked up food and necessities before the storm, they are running out – and with shops and banks shut down, there is no way to restock. With the asbestos roofs blown away, polythene sheets are in dire demand. In the wake of the devastating aftermath of the cyclone, several funds have been set up to collect money and supply food, water and other necessities on ground to the residents. Here are some ways you can help:

1. Odisha’s Chief Minister Relief Fund: Donate directly to Odisha’s Government working on the website here. You can also donate directly to the Milaap fund extended Kalinga Swaraj, which donate directly to the Chief Minister’s Relied Fund. Donate here.

2. Action Aid: Action Aid is working on ground with emergency response teams which have identified the immediate needs of the people and need your help. Action Aid also allows foreign and NRI citizens to donate through their website.

3. Goonj: Goonj is collecting monetary donation on their website here. As well as that, it is also accepting food items, utensils, clothes – the list of required items can be found on the website. The collection camps and drop off centres are located in Chennai, Hyderbad, Mysore and other cities. Donate here.

4. Rapid Response: is accepting monetary contribution on the crowdfunding website Ketto. The Rapid Response team is on the ground and need your support to scale up their work. Donate here.

5. Oxfam: Oxfam is providing dry food and temporary shelter to the stranded residents of Odisha. You can donate to their website directly to help them rebuild lives in Odisha. Click here to contribute.

6. HelpAge India: HelpAge India has created a portal where you can contribute and further the NGO’s relief efforts. Donate here.

Apart from these, you can also donate directly on the PayTM app, Amazon and the BHIM UPI app. With the cyclone having died down towards the north, Odisha in on the path to recovery. Do consider extending a helping hand to the organizations carrying out relief efforts on ground.