A heartwarming story is emerging from Kerala, captivating hearts worldwide: a young woman’s extraordinary efforts to provide drinking water to displaced families in Gaza have gone viral, showcasing a powerful message of global solidarity.
Sreereshmi Udayakumar, the visionary behind the ‘Koottu’ collective, orchestrated a vital mission. With support from her dedicated network of friends and contacts, she successfully organized a 3,000-litre water truck delivery. This crucial supply reached an estimated 250 Palestinian families, who had been displaced to southern Gaza due to the relentless conflicts.
Moving visuals circulating on social media depict children and women holding up signs that read, ‘Thank you Reshmi and her friends from Kerala India.’ Sreereshmi, who resides in Kochi, explained the dire situation: while streams exist in the area where these families are sheltering, the ongoing conflict has severely polluted them. This contamination led to a worrying rise in health issues among the children, including jaundice, diarrhea, and various skin infections. The families’ daily requirement stands at approximately 6,000 liters of potable water.
The much-needed water truck arrived on Wednesday, bringing immediate relief. Beyond the logistical challenge of water delivery, Sreereshmi also spearheaded a fundraising initiative, gathering donations for the affected families with the help of her friends living overseas.
Sreereshmi highlighted that the greatest hurdle wasn’t just financial assistance, but finding a reliable way to transport the water. “We gathered contacts directly through the families themselves,” she recounted. “A private truck owner ultimately agreed to deliver the water, and we covered all the associated costs.” She emphasized the profound scale of the crisis: “This is a humanitarian crisis that could strike anywhere. These families are without food, without clean water. Every essential item is scarce and incredibly expensive.” Sreereshmi has maintained consistent communication with numerous families in Gaza over the last eight to nine months, gaining firsthand insight into their struggles.
The families shared their profound uncertainty with her, expressing that they “have no idea how long they will be staying in the place where they are now,” and tragically, “they have no more places to evacuate to.”
For Sreereshmi, extending help in such dire circumstances is a universal responsibility. “I view it as such. I don’t see any politics in it,” she asserted, identifying herself as someone who doesn’t even possess a passport. Sreereshmi is married to Yasir.