From Relief to Rehabilitation: Drishti Foundation Trust’s Commitment in Punjab Floods

The devastating Punjab Floods have once again reminded us how natural disasters can disrupt lives, destroy livelihoods, and push communities into despair. Amritsar and its neighbouring districts witnessed unprecedented damage as overflowing rivers and excessive rainfall submerged villages, damaged schools, and left thousands of families homeless. In this moment of crisis, Drishti Foundation Trust, a more than decade-old non-profit philanthropy organization with Special Consultative Status from ECOSOC of the United Nations since 2017 and accreditation from UNEP, stepped in with urgent relief measures and long-term rehabilitation commitments. Known for its extensive work in health, education, river rejuvenation, water conservation, tree plantation, biodiversity protection, disaster management, and ecosystem restoration across India, the Trust responded swiftly to support the flood-affected families in Punjab.

The immediate challenge after the floods was ensuring shelter, clothing, and educational materials for displaced families and children who had lost everything. Drishti Foundation Trust reached Amritsar with on-ground relief teams and distributed shelter kits to more than one thousand families. These kits contained essential items such as waterproof sheets, ropes, and bamboo materials, helping families rebuild temporary safe shelters with dignity. At a time when families were left vulnerable under the open sky, these kits provided not only protection but also a sense of security and stability. In addition, the Trust distributed over 2,500 pairs of clothes to flood-affected families. Clean and decent clothing brought comfort to children, women, and men who had been forced to leave their belongings behind as floodwaters engulfed their homes. This simple yet critical support addressed one of the most urgent human needs in the aftermath of disaster.

Children, often the most silent victims of calamities, suffered tremendously during these Punjab floods. Many students lost their school bags, books, and basic supplies, disrupting their education at a time when stability and learning could provide much-needed psychological relief. Drishti Foundation Trust understood the urgency of restoring educational access and distributed stationery kits to more than one thousand students. These kits included notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, and other essentials, ensuring that learning could continue despite the disaster. For children, receiving these kits was not just about getting stationery; it was about regaining a sense of normalcy and the motivation to keep their dreams alive even amidst destruction.

Beyond immediate relief, Drishti Foundation Trust believes in long-term rehabilitation that builds resilience in communities. In line with this philosophy, the Trust has committed to adopting ten government primary schools in the flood-affected areas of Punjab. These schools, many of which were badly damaged during the floods, are lifelines for children and their families. By adopting them, the Trust will ensure that children are not deprived of education and that schools become symbols of hope and recovery. The restoration process will include repairing classrooms, rebuilding toilets, restoring roofs, and providing access to clean drinking water. The schools will also be equipped with better learning materials, digital tools, and libraries to enhance the quality of education. Teachers will be supported with training programs to strengthen their ability to guide students in post-disaster contexts, while health, hygiene, environment, and sustainability awareness will be integrated into the learning process to prepare children for a better and more resilient future.

Drishti Foundation Trust’s commitment to Punjab does not stop at schools. The organization aims to integrate its broader expertise in water conservation, river rejuvenation, pond cleaning, tree plantation, wildlife protection, and biodiversity restoration into the rehabilitation process. By strengthening natural flood barriers through plantation drives, rejuvenating water bodies to improve drainage, and educating local communities about disaster preparedness and sustainable living, the Trust envisions building a stronger, safer, and more resilient Punjab. These long-term interventions not only address the current crisis but also reduce the risks of similar disasters in the future.

The humanitarian response of Drishti Foundation Trust in Punjab Floods highlights its holistic approach to disaster management. Providing shelter kits, distributing clothes, and ensuring access to educational materials addressed the immediate survival needs of families. The decision to adopt ten primary schools demonstrates a deeper understanding that education is central to breaking cycles of poverty and building resilience. Linking these efforts with environmental and ecosystem restoration reflects the Trust’s philosophy that true development must be sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented. With its consultative status at the UN ECOSOC and accreditation from UNEP, Drishti Foundation Trust aligns its relief and rehabilitation initiatives with global sustainable development goals, ensuring that its local interventions contribute to global priorities.

The work being done in Punjab Floods also underscores the importance of collective action. No single organization can address the scale of destruction that floods bring. Drishti Foundation Trust invites partners, government agencies, corporates, and individuals to join hands in strengthening relief and rehabilitation efforts. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, donor contributions, and volunteer support can amplify the impact of the Trust’s work in Punjab. By pooling resources and expertise, stakeholders can ensure that families not only survive this disaster but also thrive in the years ahead.

The story of Punjab’s recovery is still unfolding, but the intervention of Drishti Foundation Trust is already creating ripples of hope. Shelter kits have given families protection, clothes have restored dignity, stationery kits have brought smiles to children’s faces, and the commitment to restore ten schools has reassured communities that education will not be a casualty of this disaster. More importantly, the integration of sustainable practices in rehabilitation ensures that the communities of Punjab will be better prepared for future challenges.

The Punjab flood relief initiative is a powerful reminder of Drishti Foundation Trust’s philosophy that true relief is not just about survival but also about dignity, education, and long-term development. As the waters recede, what remains is not only destruction but also the spirit of solidarity, compassion, and resilience. Drishti Foundation Trust remains committed to walking alongside the people of Punjab, ensuring that together, we transform this crisis into an opportunity for stronger, more sustainable growth. With every shelter built, every school restored, and every child supported, hope is being renewed, proving once again that even in the darkest of times, humanity and collective action can light the way forward.

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