Mumbai: The city-based charitable organisation ‘Care for Mumbai’, managed by the Malayali diaspora, has handed over a cheque of ₹80 lakhs to the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, to support the rehabilitation of survivors of the Chooralmala landslide disaster in Mundakkai, Wayanad.
The amount will fund the construction of four houses in the government-planned township for the affected families.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his appreciation for Care for Mumbai’s continued support for disaster relief efforts in Kerala. Minister K. Rajan praised the organisation’s exemplary commitment to social responsibility and humanitarian work, especially its consistent efforts to support Malayalis and the general public in Mumbai.
The cheque was presented by Care for Mumbai President M.K. Navas, Secretary Priya Varghese, Trustees Thomas Olickal and Meridian Vijayan, and Treasurer Premlal, in the presence of Revenue Minister K. Rajan at the Chief Minister’s Office.
Notably, Care for Mumbai had extended significant support during Kerala’s devastating floods.
Humanitarian endeavours
Besides, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation provided relief to over 10,000 families in Mumbai by distributing essential food kits and life-saving medicines, spending nearly ₹1.5 crores.
The charitable trust was formally established after a group of like-minded Malayalis, who had initially come together on WhatsApp, expanded their COVID-era help desk initiative into a broader humanitarian mission.
Programmes on the anvil
Care for Mumbai is also exploring a new partnership with NORKA Roots to support Malayali families in Mumbai facing serious medical emergencies. The organisation is in discussions to provide free health insurance coverage worth ₹5 lakhs to financially vulnerable families. The organisation’s president, M.K. Navas, confirmed that talks were held with NORKA Roots CEO Ajith Kolassery regarding the feasibility of the scheme.
Priya Varghese added that many Malayali families have approached Care for Mumbai in recent years, unable to bear the high cost of treatment for serious illnesses. Considering this, the organisation is now evaluating the possibility of utilising the NORKA Roots insurance policy to extend medical assistance to deserving beneficiaries.
The 2024 Wayanad landslides
Last year, in the early hours of the 30th of July, a series of landslides occurred in Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district, Kerala. The landslides were caused by heavy rains that caused hillsides to collapse, destroying the areas below. The disaster was one of the deadliest in Kerala’s history, with reports of 254 fatalities, 397 injuries, and 118 people missing. Deforestation, seismic sensitivity, poor building construction, and global warming were identified as possible causes for the landslides and fatalities.
