India – Coordinated Relief Efforts in Response to Wayanad Landslide Tragedy
Bangalore, India - August 2024 – In response to the devastating landslide in Wayanad, Don Bosco College Sulthan Bathery, with the support of BREADS Bangalore, has been actively involved in relief efforts. To date, essential supplies worth ₹13 lakhs have been distributed to various camps. Seven students and four teachers participated in the initial rescue operations. Over 100 students are currently volunteering in different camps, providing much-needed assistance. Door-to-door trauma counseling and psychological first aid have been carried out in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) by 12 Master of Social Work (MSW) students. Psychosocial support for affected students in camps is being provided by 65 students, while 60 students are stationed at the college's collection point for organizing and distributing relief materials. Faculty from the psychology department are also offering psychosocial support. In the grim task of identifying deceased individuals, six MSW students have been actively involved. Additionally, four students are engaged in data entry tasks, and ten vehicles have been deployed to support logistics. The relief efforts are a collaborative initiative, also involving the District Legal Service Authority, district administration, Health Department, and District Child Protection Unit.