The Urgent Call: Acknowledging the Unprecedented Crisis in Marathwada

When the floodwaters recede, the real work begins. To truly support Marathwada means providing urgent aid today, and making a steadfast commitment to helping communities rebuild stronger than before.

In the heart of Maharashtra, a silent and devastating humanitarian crisis is unfolding, and the vibrant region of Marathwada, known for its rich cultural heritage, is now a landscape of profound suffering. The rains that once brought life to this drought-prone area have become an overwhelming force of destruction, triggering floods that have been described by state officials as the most severe in over half a century. This is not merely a passing storm; it is an unprecedented calamity that has displaced thousands, submerged villages, and laid waste to the lives and livelihoods of an entire community. The need to support Marathwada has never been more critical.

The scale of the devastation is staggering. Multiple districts, including Beed, Dharashiv, Latur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, have been particularly battered, with rivers and nullahs overflowing and thousands of people marooned in their homes. As many as 49 individuals were recently stranded in floodwaters in just two talukas, necessitating the urgent deployment of Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams for rescue.

The human toll is grim, with eight confirmed deaths from rain-related incidents across the region, while the agricultural community faces long-term ruin. Over 150 head of cattle have been lost, representing a direct financial blow to rural families who depend on their livestock for their very survival. Beyond the immediate chaos, the floods have destroyed standing crops on thousands of hectares and, perhaps most critically for the future, washed away the top layer of fertile agricultural soil, which will impact food production for years to come.  

This crisis presents a profound paradox: while the floods are an immediate, urgent event, their consequences will be felt for years. The repeated designation of this event as “unprecedented” suggests that traditional short-term relief is insufficient. An emergency of this magnitude demands a holistic, multi-phase response that addresses not just the immediate need for food and shelter but also the long-term, arduous task of rebuilding communities from the ground up. This involves restoring critical infrastructure, ensuring agricultural recovery, and building a foundation for a more resilient future.

Therefore, the appeal for assistance is not simply a plea for help in a moment of crisis but an invitation to invest in the long-term recovery and sustainable future of the Marathwada region. To truly support Marathwada requires both urgent aid and a commitment to helping communities rebuild stronger than before.

A Legacy of Service: The Foundation of Kokan NGO India

In this moment of profound need, it is essential to partner with organizations that possess a proven track record of effective, compassionate, and transparent humanitarian action. Kokan Kala Va Shikshan Vikas Sanstha, commonly known as Kokan NGO India, is one such organization. Established in 2010 with a vision to create a world where all children have equal opportunities regardless of their background, the organization’s mission quickly expanded to encompass a broader scope of humanitarian work. Officially registered under the Societies Act 1860 and the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950, the NGO has spent over a decade building a foundation of trust and demonstrable impact.  

The organization’s journey began with a focus on providing education and medical support to needy children and older adults, and it has since evolved to address a wide array of social challenges, including women’s empowerment and disaster relief. This history is not merely a list of achievements; it is a testament to the NGO’s commitment and capability. By dedicating over 12 years to their mission,  

Kokan NGO India has reached more than 56,000 lives across Maharashtra and Karnataka, a quantifiable metric that speaks directly to their extensive reach and effectiveness. This proven legacy of success in a variety of contexts provides a powerful basis for public confidence. For donors, knowing that their contribution is being channeled through an organization with a long and verifiable history of positive change is a fundamental factor in their decision to give. The request for aid is therefore not a leap of faith but a strategic investment in a trusted partner with the experience and infrastructure to create meaningful, lasting change.  

Our Programs in Action: From Relief to Resilience

The ongoing humanitarian efforts in Marathwada are a direct continuation of Kokan NGO India’s established Flood Relief program, which can be found in detail at https://www.kokanngo.org/relief. This program is a cornerstone of the organization’s humanitarian work, designed to provide immediate, life-saving aid while also laying the groundwork for long-term community recovery. The organization’s response is comprehensive, covering everything from urgent food and hygiene to long-term community rebuilding.

The NGO’s history in responding to natural disasters across India provides a clear blueprint for its current efforts. In 2018, when heavy rainfall triggered severe floods in Kerala, the organization mobilized quickly to distribute essential products such as food, hygiene kits, and blankets to survivors in relief camps. Similarly, in 2025, during the devastating floods in Punjab, the NGO provided freshly cooked meals, ration kits, and temporary shelters to thousands of displaced individuals. Their work in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, further demonstrates a strategic approach to disaster relief that goes beyond immediate needs.

In addition to providing food and water, their efforts included specialized interventions such as dignity kits with sanitary pads and mobile toilets, which promote gender equality and clean sanitation. They also set up temporary learning centers to ensure children’s education was not disrupted, demonstrating a commitment to the entire well-being of the affected population.  

This multi-faceted approach reveals a strategic philosophy that goes beyond temporary fixes. The organization understands that true recovery from an “unprecedented” disaster like the one in Marathwada requires a dual-phase response. First, it addresses the immediate, life-threatening situation by providing urgent access to food, medical care, and safe shelter. Second, it focuses on the essential, long-term work of helping communities rebuild and fortifying them against future calamities.

This includes initiatives like well cleaning and shelter repairs, which directly address the challenges of resettlement and resilience. By showcasing this systematic and sustainable methodology, the appeal for donations is positioned not as a request for charity but as an opportunity for donors to partner with an organization that is committed to creating lasting, positive change.  

How You Can Help: Your Role in the Urgent Effort

The devastation in Marathwada is a powerful reminder that while we cannot control the forces of nature, we can choose to control our response. In the face of this widespread tragedy, your compassion is the single most powerful force for change. The people of Marathwada are not just numbers; they are families, children, and elders who have lost everything they have ever known. They are farmers whose fields are now submerged, leaving them with no means of income. They are individuals who have lost their homes and are seeking refuge in temporary camps, praying for a sign of hope.

Every single act of generosity, no matter how small, has the power to restore that hope. Your contribution is not a mere donation; it is a lifeline that reaches across miles and provides a tangible measure of comfort and security to someone who is enduring unthinkable hardship. By choosing to act now, you can become the answer to a family’s prayer and the beacon of light that guides them out of the darkness. Your support will directly translate into the essential aid needed to help them survive this crisis and begin the long, difficult journey of rebuilding their lives. The time to help is now, and every moment counts.

The Impact of Your Generosity: A Clear Breakdown of Aid

Your kindness provides more than just a donation; it provides a tangible, life-saving item to a family in desperate need. While the most effective way to help is by providing a monetary contribution, which allows our teams on the ground the flexibility to purchase and distribute items as needs change, we want you to know exactly how your generosity will be used to support Marathwada. Your contribution is a promise of hope and a guarantee of action.

Your gift can provide a warm meal: Donate meals to people. For a family that has lost everything, the simple act of receiving a warm, nutritious meal can provide an immeasurable sense of relief and security. Your donation will help provide a ready-to-eat kit, which includes essential high-energy biscuits, packaged curries, rice, and noodles. These items are carefully selected to provide immediate sustenance and energy to those who are rescued from floodwaters or waiting for help in relief camps.

Your gift can provide a family with essential supplies: Donate ration kit. As families begin the process of resettlement, their most pressing need is for basic food items to survive the coming weeks. Your contribution will help provide a complete ration kit, which includes a week’s worth of staple foods for a family of four. This kit contains rice, wheat, pulses, cooking oil, and basic spices, ensuring that they can prepare nourishing meals and not have to worry about where their next meal will come from. By providing these essential groceries, your gift offers dignity and stability.

Your gift can provide essential healthcare: give a medical aid kit. The aftermath of a flood brings with it serious health risks, from water-borne diseases to injuries sustained during evacuation. Your generosity will help distribute a critical medical aid kit, which includes basic first-aid supplies and essential medicines. These kits are crucial for addressing immediate medical needs, preventing the spread of illness, and ensuring that families have access to basic healthcare while they are away from their homes and local clinics.

Your gift can provide safety and dignity: provide a hygiene kit. A flood robs people of more than just their possessions; it takes away their sense of dignity. Your support will help provide a much-needed hygiene kit, containing items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, and sanitary pads. These essential supplies are vital for maintaining personal cleanliness and health, which is a critical concern in crowded relief camps. The inclusion of sanitary pads ensures that women and girls are able to maintain their dignity and health during a time of immense vulnerability.

Conclusion: Building a Brighter Future, Together

The floods in Marathwada have created a profound crisis, but it is one that we have the power to help overcome. For over a decade, Kokan Kala Va Shikshan Vikas Sanstha has been a beacon of hope, providing crucial support in times of disaster and working tirelessly to build more resilient communities.

Our work in Marathwada is a continuation of this promise, providing not only immediate relief but also a foundation for a stronger, more sustainable future for the families who have lost everything.

Your contribution is more than an act of kindness; it is a partnership in progress. It is a belief in the power of humanity to respond with generosity and compassion in the face of immense suffering. Join this urgent and vital effort and help us support Marathwada in its time of greatest need.