Facebook Donates Rs 1.75 Crore for Kerala Floods Rescue Effort, Victims

Social networking behemothic Facebook is donating $250,000 (nearly Rs 1.75 crore) for relief work in Kerala, which has been battered by torrential rains, floods and landslides, leaving over 300 dead amid massive devastation, the company said on Monday.

Facebook volition donate the money through the Community Resilience Fund for GOONJ — a Delhi-based not-profit organisation that is leading the relief and recovery efforts in the impacted localities.

"In the last few days, Facebook forth with the ability of the customs, has helped reach out to people through features such every bit Live, creating Page, joining community and raising funds," a Facebook spokesperson said.

"The smallest of all things we have done is that our global community has contributed $250,000 for Goonj fund," she added.

Kerala has seen unabated rains since Baronial 8, causing one of the worst floods in its history that has until now claimed over 300 lives and rendered thousands homeless.

People across Facebook have created "Groups", "Live Videos" and "Pages" to raise funds to mobilise back up and help the worst affected.

The groups created include those facilitating advice and relief to victims, such as analogous transportation and medical attention; It professionals gathering information about people who demand to exist rescued and sharing information technology with emergency officials and doctors who are offering medical tips to those affected by the floods.

On August nine, the Facebook community activated its feature "Prophylactic Check", assuasive people to let their friends and family unit know that they were safety.

The "Help and the Crunch Donate Button" on the platform has garnered more than than 1,300 posts from the affected areas. The posts were asking for help and also for offering things like shelter, nutrient, water, transportation and volunteer work.

And so far, nearly 500 people have donated using the Crisis Donate Push.

Importantly, several people who were left stranded used Facebook Live to ask for rescue after being unable to achieve authorities.

More than than 1,200 people have used Facebook'south "Community Help" to ask for and asking aid, including food, h2o, transportation and shelter.

The disaster maps on Facebook have helped National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and relevant NGOs to mobilise rescue and support efforts.

These Maps rails people'south motion and demarcate between the affected (overflowing-hit) and safety zones. This has also helped the government to identify places, where rescue and relief is required.

"Facebook is the largest community of volunteers, donors, and activists coming together to make the world a better place. We will go along to monitor and appraise needs in the region. Together, the Facebook community is championing humanity and helping those in distress," the networking giant said in a statement.