One Year After The Tragedy: A Story Of Survival And The Unseen Hands Of NGOs In Mundakkai-Chooralmala
Nearly a year after the devastating landslides struck Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad, scars run deep in the community. Yet through loss and adversity, the story that has unfolded is not only one of suffering but also a tribute to remarkable resilience and the transformative impact of non-governmental organizations.
People’s Foundation, a reputed NGO in Kerala already involved in a Rs 20 crore rehabilitation project titled ‘Arise Meppadi’, has undertaken a comprehensive study to assess the annual progress of rehabilitation, with special attention to the current status of affected families and the interventions made by various NGOs. The study adopted a multi-method approach, including Google Earth-based satellite surveys, need assessment surveys using the KOBO Toolbox, and status analysis through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques.
The study revealed that a total of 586 families were directly affected by the landslide. Of these, 402 families have been included in the government’s official beneficiary list, while 184 families are yet to be recognized for support. This data-driven initiative provides valuable insights to policymakers and humanitarian agencies, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to ensure inclusive and equitable rehabilitation for all affected families.
Lives Disrupted, Dreams on Hold
In the wake of the landslides that wiped out homes, livelihoods, and a sense of security, most families remain displaced. Over 91% of victims are still living in rental accommodation. Government assistance for rent reaches the majority, but for more than half, this support falls short-a significant number spend extra out of their limited pockets, and some pay double the official aid to house their families. Meanwhile, a minority endure scarce water, poor transportation, and inadequate health care, with a small but significant portion unable to access even basic medical services.
Source: Rebuilding Lives Together: Annual Review Report of Post-Landslide Interventions by People’s Foundation
For many, the economic fallout has been just as profound as the loss of shelter. Over half the affected families have only one earning member, and about 20% have none. Jobs have vanished, with 42% now dependent on fluctuating daily wages, and 21.5% remain unemployed. Livelihoods tied to the land were swept away: 88 local enterprises disappeared overnight, and while the majority have reopened with NGO backing, none received government compensation for their losses. Household incomes for two-thirds of families remain under Rs 10,000 a month.
The Invisible Burden: Health and Education
The toll on health and mental wellbeing is sobering. Around 30% of families have an injured member, only half of whom are fully recovered. Worryingly, most families have shouldered the cost of treatment themselves, with only limited help from government or NGOs. Nearly one in ten families lost their breadwinner, and chronic diseases compound hardship for many.
Residential status of landslide victims. Source: Rebuilding Lives Together: Annual Review Report of Post-Landslide Interventions by People’s Foundation
Psychological wounds are widespread: over 58% report post-disaster sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, or PTSD. While most have had some form of counseling or home visits, gaps remain. For students, the classroom has been both a refuge and a challenge. The majority continue their studies, buoyed by a collective determination to recover-but a notable minority have slipped behind, faced interruptions, or dropped out altogether. Just under half of all students have received external help, and a quarter who need counseling have gone without it.
Social Fabric Torn and Mended
Despite displacement to far-flung locations, social ties have proven remarkably resilient. Friendships and neighborly bonds have endured the trauma-over 80% of families keep close contact with friends from their original villages, while three-fourths report supportive connections in their new surroundings. Yet, not all have been able to rebuild this sense of community: a quarter face indifference or exclusion in their new neighborhoods.
The Crucial Role of NGOs: A Lifeline of Support
Through all this, the role of NGOs has been nothing short of life-changing. Forty-seven organizations, including major charitable and political groups, stepped in where state systems stalled. Their combined financial contribution is staggering-over Rs 60 crore has been spent exclusively on the rehabilitation initiative (excluding immediate relief), with Rs 36 crore allocated by NGOs for housing project alone. A major portion of this amount was used for land purchases, in addition to several crores dedicated to livelihood support, enterprise revival, medical treatment, education, pensions, and food security. NGOs distributed direct cash of nearly Rs 5 crore to survivors for urgent needs and spent nearly Rs 2.9 crore on food kits, ensuring that hunger did not add to despair.
Source: Rebuilding Lives Together: Annual Review Report of Post-Landslide Interventions by People’s Foundation
One of the model projects completed by NGOs as part of the rehabilitation initiative was the enterprise revival project, through which 77 out of 88 fully lost enterprises were successfully revived and brought back to operation. The major contributors to this project were nine NGOs, including Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, People’s Foundation, and others, who collectively spent Rs 5,54,50,000 as assistance exclusively for this initiative.
The Road Ahead
Yet, financial vulnerability remains entrenched-most families are locked out of credit, either due to lack of collateral or lost confidence. The cycle of low income, informal employment, and limited financial literacy threatens to prolong recovery far into the future.
Behind the numbers are stories of adaptation, loss, and perseverance-families managing to keep their children in school despite everything, neighbors forming new support circles, and young people trying to reclaim their dreams in the shadow of disaster.
As the anniversary of the 2024 landslide approaches, the community’s resilience is clear-matched only by the unwavering commitment of NGOs. The experience of Mundakkai and Chooralmala is a powerful lesson: when official systems falter or take time to reach survivors, it is the compassion, coordination, and creativity of civil society that drives true humanitarian recovery.
But the work is not over. Continued policy attention, inclusive financial services, and mental health support remain vital to ensure that no family is left behind as Wayanad rebuilds, remembers, and-slowly-begins to heal.
(Dr Nishad VM is Project Director, People’s Foundation)
