Believers Eastern Church Launches State-wide Rehabilitation Program for Victims of Cyclone "Ockhi"

• Launches first phase of state wide program from Thiruvananthapuram
• To distribute 100 boats across the state
• To distribute 1500 educational kits and award scholarships to students of victims’ families
   

Believers Eastern Church has announced the launch of state wide rehabilitation program for the victims of Cyclone “Ockhi”. The Church will distribute 100 boats,1500 educational kits and scholarship to the victims’ families and children over the next two years in the affected areas of Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Kollam. The program will benefit more than 1000 families of this region.

   Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating Believers Eastern Church 'Ockhi' relief event in Thiruvananthapuram

The launch was announced in presence of honourable Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala, Shri. Prof. P. J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Thiruvananthapuram along with Rev Dr. K. P. Yohannan, Metropolitan, Believers Eastern Church. Other eminent dignitaries like Shri. Mathew T Thomas, the Minister for Water Resource’s, Govt. of Kerala; Mayor of Trivandrum, MLA of Thiruvananthapuram East were present.

Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan along with Prof. P. J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Metropolitan Dr. K P Yohannan at Believers Eastern Church 'Ockhi' relief event held in Thiruvananthapuram

Speaking at the launch of the program, Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Kerala, said, “Whereas the government is always doing its bit to help victims of such natural catastrophes, it is important that the civil society participants also contribute towards relief and rehabilitation measures. Our government appreciates and welcomes such initiatives and will extend all possible support for the successful roll-out and implementation of this project.”

Cyclone Ochki had ravaged a large part of coastal Kerala late last year killing a large number of people besides leading to loss of property and means of livelihood for locals. Most of the affected families were of fishermen who not only lost their property and belongings to the cyclone, but also lost their only means of livelihood – their fishing boats. Through this programme Believers Eastern Church aims to reach out to and rehabilitate fishermen community and their families.

Speaking on the occasion Metropolitan Dr. K. P. Yohannan, Believers Eastern Church said, “When I visited the site sometime back I realised that merely by giving clothes or food we would not be able to address the problem. Livelihood and education are the two most critical pillars of any social order. Over the next two years we will address these aspects and reach out to more such victims who need a little helping hand.”

Church’s numerous other programmes have benefitted thousands of children, women, leprosy patients and victims of natural catastrophes by providing them education, counselling, health camps, medicines, hospitals, shelter, rehabilitation and clean drinking water.

About Believers Eastern Church

Believers Eastern Church is a Christian denomination with congregations and parishes worldwide. The Church at present has 30 Bishops who give spiritual and administrative leadership to the various activities of the Church. The current head of the Believers Eastern Church is Metropolitan Bishop, Dr. K. P. Yohannan.

The church also undertakes various charitable programs including women empowerment, educational projects, community development programs, rehabilitation projects and relief works. 

Underlined below are some of initiatives undertaken by the Believers Eastern Church.

• Believers Eastern Church has helped over 74,000 children by providing quality education and timely medical checkups under its Bridge for Hope Program.

• Believers Eastern Church has set up more than 28,000 toilets and has committed its resources to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help educate people on sanitation under the Swatch Bharat Program.

• Vocational Training and Health awareness programs have been organised for underprivileged communities.

• The church has conducted eight-month long free literacy programs, to teach the marginalised sections of society how to write and read.

• The church has provided water to communities where drinking water is scarce by constructing bore wells and community water tanks.

• The church has given sewing machines, livestock, carpentry tools, rickshaws and agricultural equipments to families to generate regular income.

• Through the Humanitarian Assistance project the Church has assisted in Nepal earthquake and Odisha Cyclone disaster relief operations through reconstruction of houses, providing food supplies, medicines, water, clothes, mosquito nets, plastic sheets for making tents, hygiene supplies and solar lights.