Reconstructing Kerala: Banks, Fintechs, NGOs pitch in

Out of a total population of about 3.48 crore, more than 54 lakh or one sixth of the population of Kerala, had been directly affected by the floods.

The death toll is currently above 400, and over 10,00,000 people are packed into relief camps. There has been massive support to Kerala, from India and all over the world.

One of India's foremost charities, the Ratna Nidhi Trust dispatched 9711 pieces of cleaned clothes, ironed and packed in more than 112 bales and 58 boxes to the relief camps to Kerala as part of the Maharashtra Chief Ministers' relief package, along with emergency medicines and doctors.

Corporates too have pitched in. India's largest bank, the State Bank of India (SBI) was one of the first to extend support and make a commitment of Rs. 2 crore to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

The bank has also waived off all charges on remittance to CMDRF (including NEFT / RTGS remittance from other banks).

The bank is also making efforts to restore flood affected ATMs and branches to make them operational at the earliest.

NRIs and the international community are pitching in too. The European Union (EU) announced an initial 190,000 Euros to the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) for providing immediate assistance in flood-devastated Kerala.

Southeast Asia's leading digital cross-border money transfer company, InstaReM has waived off transfer fees on remittances for donations to the Prime Minister's relief fund. This will enable the influential NRI community to contribute to the relief efforts for the people affected by the floods.

InstaReM will also process individual remittances to the state for the purposes of family maintenance, medical fees, and hotel accommodations without levying transfer fees.

"Force majeure such as the Kerala floods, bring people together from all over the world. We are happy we could contribute," said Rajiv Mehta, Trustee of Ratna Nidhi, and recipient of the Forbes Asia Hero of philanthropy in 2017.