By Matters India Reporter

Moolampilly, January 22, 2019: Father Augustine Mulloor OCD, provincial, blessed the newly built two houses at Moolampilly, a commencement of the fifth phase of flood relief program by Teresian Integral Development Endeavour (TIDE), a social service unit of St. Pius X Manjummel Province of Discalced Carmelites, Kerala.

The uninterrupted torrential rains in August last created havoc causing floods and landslides, claiming lives, and displacing thousands in Kerala. The provincial council realizing its mission met on August 18 and decided on an integral project for the relief work and integrated the particular initiatives under the common project. It was realized in five different phases of TIDE.

Fifth phase– Rebuilding the Dilapidated Houses

TIDE selected 12 families whose houses were totally collapsed in the flood. Through the selfless service of Mr. Sojan, the architect TIDE could acquire the drawing of houses with the permission from the local authorities.

The construction of five houses is in its full swing while two are completed. On 20 January, the newly built two houses at Moolampilly were blessed by Fr. Provincial in the presence of a few fathers.

The presence of Fathe Don Roberto and Mr. Fanco, the friends of Our Provincial from Italy was an exhilarating one for those who assembled.

Fr. Varghese Kanichukattu, Fr. Joseph Marroti, Fr. Jacob Vallomthayyil, Fr. Godwin Thimothy, Fr. Binish, Fr. Shibu, Fr. Francis Komaranchath and Fr. Nixon Jose blessed the occasion with their prayerful presence.

Fr. Bibin Chothamparambil the newly appointment Vicar of Moolampilly parish expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to Fr. Provincial and OCD fathers for the concern expressed for the poor people in the format of new houses.

He promised that he and the people at Moolampilly will keep the entire Province and its benefactors close to their heart whenever they are in prayer.

First phase -Rescue operations and camps

OCD priests tried to involve actively in the relief work rescuing many people who were dangled in the houses. They were taken to various camps. The flood-hit regions required urgent relief in the form of drinking water, food, clothes, medicines and emergency supplies.

Three OCD schools at Manjummel Guardian Angels Higher Secondary School, Guardian Angels’ Public School and Guardian Angels’ UP school and Little Flower Press and St. Joseph Hospital served as relief camps for 12 days for the families hit by the ravages of flood. Four school buses were at the service of the local authority for the rescue operations for three days. Camp was organized also at Mulavukad and Ayyampilly and families were hosted at Ernakulam, Aluva.

Second Phase –clean up mission

Social service department of the province organized a cleanup mission of houses who are financially poor and deprived of the presence of strong men at home. Students from Philosophy College, Aluva, Theology College, Jyotir Bhavan and a few priests formed a strong team of 85 to lead the mission.

Nearly 30 houses at Manjummel, Eloor, Olanad, Muttinakam were cleaned in three days. It was a unique experience for everyone to feel one with the dejected people around us and to help them pull themselves up.

OCD St. Joseph Hospital defined itself and proved that it is a mission hospital visiting nearby six relief camps giving free service of doctors, nurses and medicines. The total estimated expense is as follows: Medicine at camps- Rs. 2, 55,000/- medical treatment at the Hospital- Rs.1,75,000/-Ambulance service- Rs.7,5000/- , Generator service – Rs. 1,25,000/-, tetanus injection 2000 and immediate help to the staff Rs. 4,00,000/- the total amount spent comes about Rs.12,000,00/-

Third phase – Pidiyarichoru

The program Pidiyarichoru was realized in its first phase with the generous support and service of many fathers and benefactors. The rice and dal and coffee powder and sugar came from various corners and enough for more than 2000 packets which were packed by the volunteers such as men and women, children and the youth in an atmosphere of festival enjoying the service for the suffering brothers and sisters. The packets have reached the destinations at Manjummel, Muttinakom, Varapuizha, Chennur, Chariyanthuruth, Gothuruth, Chennamangalam, Kottuvally, Pizhala, Panaiykulam, Kongorpilly.

Fourth Phase – Flood -House –Recovery

TIDE selected 15 parish communities from Vijayapuram, Allepy, Varapuzha and Kottapuram dioceses. After a thorough scrutiny we had chosen 175 families for repair and renovation work of their houses. This is being carried out through the effective leadership of the respective parish priest and the parish central committees.

Kerala faced the deluge of the century in August last. Around 500 people died in the flood. More than US $ 20 billion worth of property and infrastructure got damaged. It will take years for Kerala to recover from this flood.