Ahmedabad: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), along with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm Reliance Foundation (RF), plunged into the rescue and relief operations in a Rapid Action Force manner as the torrential rains and flood cause devastation in the areas of North Gujarat. The teams of RIL and RF volunteers rushed to provide necessary help to the victims of flood in Dhanera and Kankrej blocks of Banaskantha district. The mobile helpline saved 53 lives with help of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and bridged the gap between more than 3650 callers and rescue and relief agencies.

The relief teams of RIL and RF distributed 90,530 food packets, 580 blankets, 5113 ration kits, 50 kitchen sets, 2,700 clothes and 485 quintal of fodder in the flood affected areas. Two mobile medical vans equipped with necessary medicines, doctors and support staff were deputed in Dhanera and surrounding villages to provide medical services to the affected people. The mobile medical vans treated 2581 patients in Dhanera and other villages like Vaker, Runi, Voda, Joravarpur, Yavatpura, Sankad and Saral.

Apart from the relief work, a special toll free helpline was set up for the flood victims so that the relief and rescue teams can be informed about people stranded in water. Apart from that two voice SMS advisories were disseminated to 87,610 users. Two more voice messages regarding use of chlorine tablets, health precautions and livestock care were disseminated to 43,805 users in the district.

Due to the RF helpline of people of Bhakhari village located in the interior area of Banaskantha district could get relief goods. RF volunteers waded one kilometer in flooded water to distribute 1,500 food packets in the village. Moreover, in some villages pregnant women were shifted to hospital and medical treatment and care became available, thanks to the helpline. The helpline was also instrumental in shifting the flood victims to safe locations.

In addition, Reliance team helped organizing multi-location Audio Conference for livestock health and disease management in tune with the Department of Animal Husbandry. The issues of disposal of carcasses and safeguarding human and animal health were discussed. Moreover, another multi-location Audio Conference was also organised with District Malaria Office of Banaskantha with help of Department of Health. Apart from that one health camp was also organised to provide medical help to the flood victims.

In short, RIL once again responded to the natural calamity and joined efforts of the Government departments and other agencies to mitigate miseries of the victims of the Calamity. Employees themselves volunteering in such activities is in testimony of the fact that Reliance has a good humane and social face.