It’s been two days since Cyclone Fani made landfall in Odisha, and while the government has managed to keep the death toll low by undertaking evacuation on a war footing, many areas have been severely affected by the cyclone. The office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said massive relief and restoration work was underway to provide basic facilities – electricity, water supply and mobile connectivity – to the affected people.
More than 30 lakh electricity consumers in the state were affected, said SRC Bishnupada Sethi.
“According to preliminary reports, Cyclone Fani damaged power infrastructure worth more than Rs 1,200 crore. Electricity to emergency services will be restored by Sunday evening,” Energy Secretary Hemanta Sharma said. “It will take at least five to seven days to restore normalcy in power supply in Bhubaneswar. However, it may take a bit longer for Puri where the devastation to power structures is maximum,” he added.
The Odisha Chief Minister on Sunday also announced special packages for cyclone-affected people for food, housing, etc.
Here’s how you can donate towards relief measures:
Odisha Chief Minister’s Relief Fund: The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund allows people to donate directly to the government. The page can be found here.
Goonj: Goonj is accepting monetary donations as well as materials. They are looking for donations in food, utensils, clothes, toiletries, essentials and other items. There are volunteer-run drop-off points in various cities including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hyderabad, Chennai and others. Click herefor more details.
Ketto: Disaster relief NGO Rapid Response has asked for Rs 10,00,000 to distribute 1,000 relief kits to 1,000 of the worst affected families. Donatehere.
Milaap: Organised by the Kalinga Swaraj Foundation, this amount will also go the Odisha CM Relief Fund. The campaign has been set for Rs 1 crore, of which a little over Rs 9 lakh has been collected. Donate here.
Oxfam India: NGO Oxfam India has asked for donations which will go towards water, emergency food supplies, hygiene kits, rehabilitation and long-term recovery. To donate, click here.
Helpage India: The NGO has created a portal and is accepting donations for rations, medical supplies and other relief materials.
ActionAid: According to its website, the NGO has been working on the ground to evacuate affected people and assist in relief efforts. ActionAid also allows NRIs and foreign citizens to make donations through their website.
World Vision: The international aid agency has also opened a relief fund donations page for India and Bangladesh. The agency will be releasing the funds to their local partners who are involved in the relief work.
DonateKart: This agency allows donations based on the need of the hour. Its site lists out essential items such as rice, water, wheat, sanitary napkins and other items that people can choose from and donate. You can buy items for relief here.
UNICEF USA: UNICEF is inviting donations towards children’s healthcare, nutrition and safe drinking water. It accepts donations in US dollars. Donate here.