Mumbai: Reliance Foundation has announced 10-point relief measures for Odisha train accident affected families including employment to one family member of the deceased through Jio and Reliance Retail.

“We cannot undo the suffering caused by the tragedy, we are fully committed to helping the bereaved families rebuild their lives and prepare for the future. With this as our solemn mission, we are announcing a 10-point programme to offer our unwavering support to those affected by this unfortunate incident,” said Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation, in a statement.

Extending her deepest condolences on behalf of Reliance Foundation to the families who have lost their loved ones in the tragic train accident in Odisha, she said: “As soon as we learnt about the accident, our specialized disaster management team was immediately deployed to facilitate the rescue effort on ground. Our team continues to provide round-the-clock aid and assistance to the injured.”

The 10-point relief measures of Reliance Foundation include free fuel for ambulances dealing with the disaster through Jio-BP network; provision of free ration supplies, including flour, sugar, dal, rice, salt and cooking oil, for the next six months to affected families through Reliance stores; free medicines for injured to support their immediate recovery needs; medical treatment for those needing hospitalization due to the accident, and counselling services for emotional and psychosocial support.

Reliance Foundation will also provide employment opportunities through Jio and Reliance Retail to one family member of the deceased, as needed; provision of support aids to people with disabilities, including wheelchairs, artificial limbs;Reliance Foundation will also provide employment opportunities specialist skill training for those impacted to find new employment opportunities; microfinance and training opportunities for women who may have lost their sole earning family member; provide livestock such as cow, buffalo, goat, poultry for alternate livelihood support to rural families impacted by the accident, and free mobile connectivity to a family member of the bereaved for a year to enable them to rebuild their livelihood.

According to the statement, Reliance Foundation’s specialist disaster management team closely coordinated with the Emergency Section, Collectorate, Balasore, and National Disaster Response Force. Helping passengers quickly evacuate coaches and rushing injured to emergency vehicles, to immediately make available masks, gloves, ORS, bedsheets, lighting and other necessities for rescue at the site of accident, Reliance Foundation volunteers also involved in the rescue making gas cutters available to evacuate passengers trapped in coaches.

To ensure that rescue efforts continued uninterrupted, Reliance Foundation identified and networked with youth volunteers from the area to quickly prepare food for about 1,200 people. Meals were provided to rescue personnel, much needed for the personnel, and for families of those affected, who arrived at the accident site. Adequate drinking water was also ensured. /BI/