WE SHALL OVERCOME

OUR

EXPERT ADIVISORSDR. MURALEE THUMMARUKUDYChief of Disaster Risk ReductionUnited Nations Environment ProgramDR. MUHAMED ISMAIL PMPresident, Indian Academy of Pediatrics

COMPILED BY:AMITH PADIATHARSHAD TKARSHID PADIATH

KERALA FLOODS 2018CALIBERATED RECOMMENDATIONS FORSURVIVORS, CITIZENS, COMMUNITIES AND EXPERTS

WHAT YOU CAN DOAS A

SURVIVOR

Only return to your homes once thearea has been certified safe forreturn by Local Authorities.

AS A SURVIVORAS A SURVIVOR

Return to your homes only duringday time. Never at night, due topotential hazards in your home,surrounds, or on the way.

AS A SURVIVORAS A SURVIVOR

Return in small groups. Never alone.Help each other.

AS A SURVIVORAS A SURVIVOR

Do not take children with you thefirst time due to inherent hazardsand potential sights of death anddestruction that may be traumaticfor them.

AS A SURVIVORAS A SURVIVOR

Flood affected areas can beextremely muddy. Wear appropriatefootwear to protect your feet andlegs. The mud may make it difficultto operate the compound gate.Beware of compound wall givingway as you try to push the gateopen. Protect your hands and feetappropriately while cleaning muddyareas

AS A SURVIVORAS A SURVIVOR

Beware of human remains or animalcarcasses in or around your home.Never touch them with unprotectedhands. Report human remainsimmediately to the police. Animalcarcasses must be disposed offwithin 48 hours of their discovery.Burying them is not appropriate dueto the high water table post flood.Incineration is the best technique.

AS A SURVIVORAS A SURVIVOR

Beware of slip / trip hazards andfalling object.

AS A SURVIVORAS A SURVIVOR

Beware of rodents & reptiles. In caseof snake bite do not panic, clean thearea with soap and water and reportto the nearest hospital. Aphotograph of the snake makestreatment easier.

AS A SURVIVORAS A SURVIVOR

If windows are operable fromoutside, keep them open for a fewminutes before entering. Else openall windows and leave them openfor at least 30 minutes once you areinside.

AS A SURVIVOR

Make sure to check for gas leaks. IfLPG cylinders are kept outside yourhouse, ensure they are closedbefore you go in. Else keep the maindoor open for a few minutes beforeentering. Do not use open flameslike cigarettes, lighters or candlesuntil you have ascertained there isno gas leak.

AS A SURVIVOR

Ensure walls and roof of your houseare safe before entering. If in anydoubt about the safety of yourhome, seek expert advice.

AS A SURVIVOR

Use a mask to prevent inhaling air‐borne pathogens, dust and toxicgases. Fish or Meat products storedin refrigerators or deep freezerswould have rot producing methanegas which poses a serious healthhazard if inhaled.

AS A SURVIVOR

Water sources will be toxic due toseepage of flood water. Clean watersources, including undergroundtanks and wells with bleachingpowder before using them to sourcedrinking water. For wells, useapproximately 5 grams of bleachingpowder for 1000 litres of water. Theprocess is to be repeated twice aweek. Boil water for 20 minutesand then cool before drinking.

AS A SURVIVOR

Unplug all devices around the houseprior to switching on the power. Donot switch on the power or useelectrical appliances, unless they arecertified safe by an expert.

AS A SURVIVOR

Ensure taps and toilet flush areoperating properly. Visually observethe quality of water discharged fromthem. If it is muddy / turbid, it tellsyou that your water lines have beencontaminated.

AS A SURVIVOR

Clean house and immediatesurrounds with bleaching powdersolution. (150 gms Bleachingpowder, and 2‐3 tsp common soappowder or washing soda for every10 litres.) Wash away after half anhour before cleaning internal areaswith soap or disinfectant solution.

AS A SURVIVOR

Mix Bleaching powder with Limeand spread around your compound.

AS A SURVIVOR

Food hygiene is very important. Onlyhave food that is hot or boiled.Never have anything that yoususpect may be spoilt. Do not mixleftovers with fresh food.

AS A SURVIVOR

Wash hands with soap and waterbefore every meal. Reportimmediately for medical aid if youhave develop fever, rashes oritching. Protect yourself frommosquitoes.

AS A SURVIVOR

Everyone except pregnant ladies andchildren below 10 years, should beadministered Doxycycline. Pregnantladies and children below 10 yearsshould take Azithromycin. Ask thelocal health worker in your areaabout recommended dosage.

AS A SURVIVOR

Health Authorities will be issuingdirectives periodically. Follow themreligiously.

AS A SURVIVOR

It is normal to have psychologicalreactions like sadness, fear, anger,insomnia, nightmares, guilt, shameor physical symptoms like headache,fatigue, loss of appetite, aches andpains in both adults and children.These symptoms are a medicalcondition like any other. Seekmedical intervention. Limit exposureto media coverage of the calamity.

AS A SURVIVOR

Record all damages to your homeusing photographs. Prepare a list.These will be required for a damageand loss estimate for futureinsurance / aid claims

AS A SURVIVOR

Remember to document the floodwater level on the wall of yourhome. This is a important legacystatement and helps futureplanning.

AS A SURVIVOR

Prepare a list of all documents andcertificates destroyed / damaged bythe flooding.

AS A SURVIVOR

Understand that the best way out ofthis crisis is together. Rememberthat Kerala and India are behind youin this hour of crisis. Look out foreach other. Take care of oneanother. We are our brother'skeeper. We are our sister's keeper.We shall overcome!

AS A SURVIVOR

WHAT YOU CAN DOAS A

CITIZEN

Understand that a natural calamityis a humanitarian crisis. The bestresults of recovery comes when itworks towards the well being of allmembers of a community, fightsexclusion and marginalization andcreates a sense of belonging andtrust. Keep this spirit of socialcohesion in all your volunteerefforts.

AS A CITIZEN

Talk to the religious organization youare affiliated to and find out abouttheir relief efforts. Offer tovolunteer. Promote integration ofrelief efforts of different religiousgroups.

AS A CITIZEN

Volunteer to help the relief effortsthrough youth groups and voluntaryorganizations like clubs, residenceassociations and alumni as these arebest equipped and flexible torespond to local needs. There arecountless areas where volunteerswill be required, includingfundraising, humanitarian,rebuilding and clean up efforts. Findthe right fit for you and offer tohelp. Don’t wait to be asked.

AS A CITIZEN

WHAT YOU CAN DOAS A

COMMUNITY

The Financial Aid that pours induring the immediate aftermath ofcalamity usually tapers to a trickleonce the event fades from publicmemory. Remember that thefinancial requirements of therecovery process are long term. Planfundraising events over the next 12‐18 months. NRIs groups shouldformulate long term goals forfinancial aid.

AS A COMMUNITY

Be informed and educate othersabout the Disaster ManagementPlan & Disaster Waste ManagementPlan for your area. Find out if thecurrent land use of your area is riskinformed. Work with pressuregroups and local media to ensurethat state level plans are updatedbased on lessons learnt. Speak outagainst activities that are notcompliant to these plans. Devicesimilar plans for your communities.

AS A COMMUNITY

Affected migrants groups are proneto being marginalized due to lack ofaccess to social supportmechanisms. If your localcommunity includes a large migrantpopulation, ensure aid is availablefor them.

AS A COMMUNITY

WHAT YOU CAN DOAS AN

EXPERT

If you are an expert in the buildingssector, volunteer to examine thehabitability of flood affected homes,including structural stability,integrity of electrical works andquality of water. Suggest remedialworks. This can be done in anindividual capacity or as part ofvolunteer groups.

AS AN EXPERT

If you are from the legal fraternityor have experience in documentliaison, offer assistance in procuringduplicates of certificates, land andother records that may have beendestroyed by the flood.

AS AN EXPERT

If mental health is your area ofexpertise , offer Psychoeducationand Psychological First Aid. OfferConsultation to schools.

AS AN EXPERT

If you're a member of the artisticcommunity, help organizeworkshops and activities around thearts, especially for children and inrelief camps. Disaster recoveryincludes addressing emotional andspiritual healing in addition tomaterial needs. Art based therapiesilluminate the human condition,bring people together and provide acrucial vehicle for healing andcontinuity.

AS AN EXPERT

If your expertise is in social media,channelize efforts so that theseplatforms act as repositories ofinformation required by survivors.Raise awareness, disburseinformation, fight disinformationand spread cheer with recoverysuccess stories. Highlight how publicdonations are being used / misused.

AS AN EXPERT