A Q&A with Kerala Flood victim Juna, an Altrad Team Member.
We speak with Juna, a member of the Altrad family in a Q&A about these tragic events.
The recent tragedy of torrential rains in Kerala, Southern India, the worst for over 100 years, caused devastating floods and mudslides that resulted in significant loss of life, and with over one million people displaced because of catastrophic property damage, this tragic event is something that the Altrad Middle East business unit took to heart.
Question:
You went to Kerala last month, what is the current situation there?
Answer:
The water has dried up now but the area I am residing in was full of mud. When I went home, I had to stay in the Trivandrum airport for 1 day as no transportation was available. A lot of people was stranded in the airport. I was lucky to be able to hitch a ride on a truck and had to walk for almost 5 hours to reach home. Due to heavy and non-stop rains, the water filled out the entire house.
Question:
What is the impact of the disaster on your house?
Answer:
A lot. All the household items have been washed away – our fridge, plates, washing machine, bed/mattress, cupboards, dining table, chairs, cooking stove, water pump, and generator, among others, are all gone. Switch board and wirings in the entire house has also been damaged. We had no electricity for 12 days, only relying for candles and oil lamps. The walls of the house also cracked, house paint was peeled off and many snakes appeared!
Question:
Where does your family live since the disaster?
Answer:
A camp has been set up by the local government so that’s where we stayed for a week. Luckily, food was also provided.
Question:
What do you think about the mobilization of Altrad’s employees to help Kerala’s victims?
Answer:
It is a blessing. Altrad is helping us to rebuild what we have lost. From the financial assistance I received, I immediately bought and hired repair men to work on the electricity issues at home and bought the necessities – all because Altrad openly assisted me.
Question:
Do you think Kerala can be rebuilt and become again the city it was before the disaster?
Answer:
Yes, but it will take a long time. Many people died, the damage cost millions and that could not be replaced immediately.
We would like to once again appeal to anyone wishing to donate to the fund, to do so via the following link: https://donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in/