By Matters India Reporter

Vailodam, Feb. 16, 2019: The Kerala Vincentian Society, the social service wing of Congregation of Mission (CM) priests, South Indian Province, has built two more houses for the devastating flood victims in Kerala.

“Two houses have been blessed and handed over to the flood victims in Kerala. God bless them to have a grace-filled life. This is a part of the rehabilitation program organized by the CM fathers for the flood victims,” said Father Davis Kachappilly, director of Kerala Vincentian Society.

Fr. Tomichan Mattathiveliyil, South Indian provincial, blessed the houses in the presence of a few priests, local people and others and handed over the keys to the deserving families on Feb. 16.

Last December, the Kerala Vincentian Society had built 15 houses and handed over the keys to the victims of Kerala floods.

Most houses for the flood victim are in Vailodam, North Pravoor.

After the blessing of the houses, Father George Ayalloor, a seminary rector who was present at the occasion, said, “Building these houses is like little drops in the ocean and still a long way to go.”

The housing the homeless after the devastating flood in Kerala are a timely venture by the CM Fathers.

Kerala faced the deluge of the century in August last year. 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 the flood.

In December 2017, an unprecedented cyclone named Okhi hit Kerala. More than 250 people were killed and some 550 people are still missing.