Kalamassery: Apart from rescue operations, the Indian Navy is aiding the flood victims by preparing food for people living in relief camps. A 15-member Navy team headed by Lieutenant Commandant O Jayaprakash attached to INS Venduruthy has opened a 'community kitchen' for the purpose. It is functioning at the Civil Lab building of the Cochin University of Science and Technology’s (CUSAT) School of Engineering.
The Navy team prepares and delivers lunch and supper to people housed in various relief camps in the area. The community kitchen, which was started on Friday, will function as long as the relief camps are open.
As many as 2,622 people housed at the relief camps opened at School of Engineering, School of Legal Studies, Statistics Department, School of Management Studies and Applied Economics Departments of CUSAT have benefited from the community kitchen. In addition, 2,180 flood victims in the camps at Thrikkakkara Cardinal School, Karunya, Bharata Matha College and Naipunya as well as 2,000 people at the relief camp in UC College received food prepared by the Navy personnel. In total, around 7,000 people benefited.
Now, the Navy kitchen is making preparations to serve 11,000 people daily, said Jayaprakash.
Though it was earlier planned to open the community kitchen at UC College, the Navy finally decided on CUSAT campus after the Kalamassery-Aluva road flooded.
Food prepared by the Navy personnel is supplied to the people in relief camps by CUSAT students and faculty. Navy is not only involved in cooking, but also in supplying the rice, provisions and vegetables needed.
