It has been one month since Jammu & Kashmir was hit by devastating floods that shook the entire nation. One month later, the state government's preliminary assessment of cumulative losses due to floods is in excess of Rs 1 lakh crore. Relief work will still continue for months but it is also important to start rehabilitation work to rebuild Kashmir, here are a few suggestions that can contribute to how we can help in rehabilitation of Kashmir.
School to school
By the time we complete relief work, we should manage to put smiles back on the faces of many children who are itching to go back to school. As of now we assume that the classes will be held in destroyed buildings, tents, or even open air. If a few prominent public schools of India take a pledge to ensure reconstruction of damaged school buildings or if not entire school buildings then a small contribution towards construction of a classroom, school/corpus fund, school furniture, equipment and other urgent needs. Schools can also contribute by donating study material including education kits, text books and computers. It would be a big help and will also ensure that children return to school. Most importantly, our schools can send teams of trained counsellors who can help flood-affected children to come out of trauma.
Hospitals to hospitals
Right now hundreds of doctors from various organizations are working tirelessly in Kashmir, treating thousands of patients and distributing free medicines. But what after these temporary relief camps are over? What is expected from the health community right now is that they give their time, talent and monetary or in-kind help to rebuild health infrastructure. It could be rebuilding an entire hospital or a ward, donating an x-ray machine or giving some blood pressure instruments. There is so much to be done and the most important aspect is to address the mental health consequences of the disaster by providing training to local health workers about how to identify signs of serious mental health issues as there are hundreds of locals who are traumatized by the disaster.
Helping tourism
It will take some time for tourists to start coming back again to Kashmir as right now there is a fear that an epidemic may surround the valley after the devastating floods. Tourism sector of the valley should work together overtime to rebuild the confidence of tourists and most importantly, the state government should come out with a detailed plan and advertise pan-India about the hotels which are fully functional, their tariff and places to visit. The Centre already provides free airfare to its employees under LTC scheme. Even by visit of a few per cent of employees, tourism industry will be back to the normal soon. The tourism department of the state will also ensure participation in every domestic and international tourism fair/event to increase the confidence of the travel agencies and tourists, thereby increasing the tourist inflow in the state.
Deferment of loans
It's very important to rebuild the confidence of the business community and individuals to rebuild Kashmir. Both public and private sector banks will consider giving moratorium or gestation for a period of 6 months or waiver of such number of MIs to enable flood-affected people to recover as their repaying capacity is severely weakened due to the damages and losses.
Business opportunities
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. During my visit to a relief camp, I came across a very important question by a local weaver that how many days you will give me rice instead please give me some opportunity to earn my bread and butter. There are thousands of opportunity you can give to them, to start with by organising a crafts mela at Delhi's Pragati Madain or Mumbai's BKC ground. Encourage them to sell their products online. If you are wishing to donate some furniture to a school, let the local Kashmiri labourer make the same. Imagine you are helping a school by generating some employment for a local. There could so many better ways, which you can implement.
In-kind CSR
You can select any of the grassroots nonprofits working on the ground; they will immediately provide you a list of material required, for example, blankets, education kits for children, dignity kits for women, building material to rebuild house, adopting a school or small community. There are still thousands of opportunities and you can make a big impact by choosing one of suitable long term sustainable project.
Support local workers
Many of the handlooms have been destroyed and hundreds of people are out of work. Based on immediate need, you can donate machinery or raw material to the handloom weavers or you can plan a training camp for them about various business opportunities. As festive season is approaching, few corporate houses can purchase in bulk local handicrafts as Diwali gifts.
Trust me life is so beautiful and people will soon forget your like or dislike of latest Bollywood movie based on Kashmir, but yes, for sure no one will ever forget your contribution in rebuilding Kashmir.
(Rahul Verma is founder of Uday Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit organization that believes in health with dignity.)
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