The floods in Kerala has wreaked havoc on the entire state and plunged the state into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. With over 243 people dead since August 8,2018 , and above 725000 people living 5645 relief camps, and thousands of houses destroyed or rendered unfit for habitation, the impact on the lives and livelihoods of the affected families is going to be catastrophic. The government, the armed forces, police, fire-force, humanitarian relief agencies and volunteers from civil society (with special mention of the fisher-folk who have rendered heroic service) have been working round the clock to deal with this humanitarian emergency selflessly and efficiently to rescue people still stranded in remote and inaccessible locations, restore communication and road access, to mobilize relief material, health services for the relief camps. The stories of heroic rescue, relief goods pouring in locally as well as from all parts of the country – all point to the human generosity and heart-warming solidarity with those affected by this disaster.

A disaster affects all people, but it affects those who are socially, politically and economically vulnerable far more seriously. The vulnerability of those communities that are voiceless in normal times is magnified during times of disaster. This is true for those that not able to access their rights and entitlements in normal times due to caste based discrimination, geo-cultural marginalization, and lack of political representation. They are invisible and silent during disasters, and many a time devoid of the means of communication, social networking and collective representation to get themselves rescued and access to adequate relief. Those from the privileged sections of society are able to build back their lives much faster; but those from the underprivileged sections take much longer to do so.

This has been borne out by the experiences of relief agencies and formal studies over the years – Gujarat earthquake (2002), Tsunami (2004) Assam floods over several years (particularly 2009 and 2012) Thane Cyclone i(2012), Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka floods (2009), Odisha floods (2011)&Phailin (2013), Uttrakhand Floods (2013) , J & K Floods (2013) , Hudhud Cyclone (2014) , Odisha Floods (2014) , Gujarat and Tamil Nadu Floods (2015). These experiences and studies have all revealed how Dalit, Adivasi and other most marginalized communities have been excluded from rescue and relief in a significant manner. In most cases we also see biases in relief provision in terms of gender, age, religion and region. The special needs of women, children, the aged, the physically and mentally challenged and migrant laborers too are by default overlooked. This form of exclusion happens by default and is not recognized by most people. There are common faulty notions of disaster response being caste/gender neutral; but it has been established conclusively that it is not.

Taking into account this knowledge and experience that we have accumulated through decades of humanitarian relief and rehabilitation work, Kerala Alliance of Dalits- Adivasis for Post- Disaster Engagements and Monitoring appeal to the government of Kerala and all its agencies, and all the humanitarian agencies engaged in rescue and relief work to recognize this discrimination/exclusion of Dalits/Adivasis/most marginalized communities and incorporate a proactive approach to reach out to such communities consciously. We also appeal that the government and humanitarian agencies explicitly incorporate this understanding of inclusion in their assessment and reporting instruments. Transparent, disaggregated reporting, on the basis of caste, gender, age, disability and special (marginalized) groups of the relief goods and services provided would go a long way in ensuring that disaster response, relief and rehabilitation measures are humane, inclusive, fair and just.

Ajaykumar VB – Kerala Alliance of Dalits- Adivasis for Post- Disaster Engagements and Monitoring

This article was first publish on countercurrents.org.
 

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Dear fishermen comrades, leaders of NFF & KSMTF and other people’s movements present here. 

Today is an occasion, first, for expressing deep sorrow at the devastating flood which had affected 12 districts of Kerala. But it is also an occasion to express our wholehearted appreciation for the brave actions by each of you, all of you, in saving the lives of tens of thousands of fellow humans  from death at the time of flood. You did not bothered about risk to your life. Instead you have shown exemplary courage and love towards humanity. The actions by you is comparable to the services rendered by our defence services and personnel who have both technology and wherewithall  to face such situations.You have faced similar or more severe hazards during both the Tsunami and Okhi when we people were not able to render such support to you. Even the governments failed to a large extent, then.
 
I was traveling through the flood affected areas like Kottayam, Chengannur, Kuttanad etc where I could see the pathetic situation in which lakhs of people are living. But even among that miseries they is praise for you all for saving their lives.

We will now have to do much to bring back them to a normal and decent life. Their rescue and relief in camps were better compared to many other states with the support of many governmental and other organisations. But once they start returning to their homes the situation will be different. Their homes are in total disarray with mud filled houses and destroyed furniture and household utensils and nothing left to start their life afresh. They have no facilities like drinking water or sanitation. I had seen men and women waiting on the streets for hours to get drinking water and food.
 
We must demand that those families who are returning to their homes must  be given cash support of at least RS.10000 for setting up their houses. Kerala is a small but bountiful state which has contributed to the development of India in many ways. Even if we cannot call it as a national disaster as per the law, defacto it is nation disaster. Hence such a large nation as ours should have a large heart to support Kerala in the maximum way possible. 

Until now, the approach of the Central government has not been satisfactory at all. While the same government is busy spending Rs. 3000 crores on constructing a statue of our first home minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel, they are offering a meagre Rs 600 crores to Kerala as relief fund. Even the UAE had offered an amount of RS.700 crores, more than our own national government. This should be rectified. Kerala is part of Federal India.India being a globalised nation in terms of capital investment and market there is nothing wrong in accepting relief funds.

When I was part of a fishworkers campaign through the ocean from Mangalore to Trivandrum with Mr. T.Peter I was frightened by the roaring waves. But you are crossing those waves almost everyday for your livelihood and feeding millions of us. But your concerns were never attended to seriously by governments. Now no government can ignore your voice. 

You should have a say in any developmental planning. They cannot go ahead with disastrous projects like Sagramala or Vizhinjam Port. The present central government is not interested in protecting nature and its resources. But the people of the country like peasants, tribals along with you are fighting these policies. NAPM being an alliance of such people’s movements are with you in all such struggle.
 
Once again I express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the brave soldiers of this country who had selflessly took the responsibility to save the lives of thousands of your brothers and sisters. I salute all of you once again in the name of all people’s movements in India.

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