26th December, 2004 will be remembered for all time for the death and destruction caused by the killer-waves of the Tsunami. MCDS was perhaps the worst hit NGO by this tragedy. One of its adopted areas, Srinivasapuram, on the coastal areas was the worst hit. As many as 7 of its associates including 2 members of MCDS staff perished, as well as 2 other members of the staff while trying to save some children. Loss of life and property was enormous.
MCDS was the first on the scene to lend a helping hand, networking with the Indian Medical Association. One of the mini buses of MCDS was converted into a mobile clinic to provide healthcare to thousands of families. MCDS continues its association with the victims of the tsunami. Children are helped with schooling, youth are sent for vocational training, women are inducted to Self Help Groups, elders are supported and health care provided for the entire community.
Unprecedented flood in Chennai brought untold suffering to the riverside dwellers. MCDS was probably the first to start the distribution of relief materials in collaboration with St. Louis Institute, Adyar, Mr .Paul Sathya Chelladurai of Montfort 90 “Aloha” batch and other Alumni of Montfort Yercaud like Mr. George Mathew, Mr. Thangaprabhu, ‘Paragon Footwears’, Mr. Shankar Roy(Australia) and ‘The Abrao Group’
Unlike Tsunami, Chennai Floods or Vardha Cyclone, the COVID 19 experience was very different.
Due to the closedown, the daily wage workers lost their jobs and their income and hence in dire want most of our beneficiaries especially the parents of our mentally challenged come under this category. It was urgent and imperative that we step in and ease the situation. But unfortunately MCDS staff were also struck up in their own areas, unable to come over to start the relief efforts.
Braving the threat of the least and governmental restrictions, MCDS utilised the services of our Ambulance to start relief work. Kits consisting of Rice, Dhal, Oil, Salt, Sugar, other condiments as well as hygiene items were packed and distributed at our various CBR centres. News of this distribution was spread to our friends and well-wishers and a good many came forward with similar kits. Mr. Mathew Joseph, District Grand Charity, The Abrao Group, Province of Bengaluru, Mr. Prasanna, Mr. Philip Thomas, Dr.SabuGanesan, Mr. Raghunandan, Mr. Shankar Roy, Mr. Boby Chacko, Bro. ArockiaSahayaraj, Mr. Vishnu, Mr. Barghav are just a few names who backed up our efforts.
Our SHG & CBR Coordinators made a study of local condition and selected the most needy to whom Kits as well as Masks were distributed without flouting the norms prescribed. Close contacts and collaborators of MCDS were apprehensive of the great risk staff were exposed to, but it had to be done since it was the need of the hour.