The Kokan Livelihood Restoration Project is a vital rehabilitation initiative by the Dar ul Huda Charitable Trust, specifically launched to support small-scale vendors and laborers in Mahad and Chiplun (Kokan) following the devastating floods of 2021. Recognizing that immediate food relief is only the first step, this project focuses on long-term economic empowerment by providing “Haath Gaadi” (Hand Carts) to those who lost their means of income to the floodwaters.

The Severity of the Situation

The Kokan region, particularly Mahad and Chiplun, faced an unprecedented natural disaster:

• Historic Water Levels: Floodwaters in Chiplun rose to over 15 feet in some areas, completely submerging the main market and residential hubs, destroying thousands of small businesses and carts within hours.

• Loss of Livelihood: For the “daily wagers” and street vendors, the mud and debris left behind by the receding waters meant the total loss of their only asset—their hand carts—leaving them unable to earn a living to rebuild their homes.

Project Details & Items Provided

Under the Social & Relief Services wing of the Dar ul Huda Charitable Trust, the team conducted on-ground surveys to identify the most affected individuals.

The assistance provided includes:

• Custom-Built Haath Gaadis (Hand Carts): Sturdy, newly manufactured carts designed for selling vegetables, fruits, or general merchandise.

• Business Starter Support: By providing the physical means to trade, the Trust helped families transition from being aid-recipients to being self-sufficient once again.

• Regional Reach: While focusing on the worst-hit areas of Mahad and Chiplun, the project serves as a model for the Trust’s commitment to “rehabilitation after relief” across the Kokan belt.

This initiative exemplifies the Trust’s mission to not only “save a life” during a crisis but to ensure that the dignity of work is restored to the underprivileged, helping the resilient people of Kokan stand on their own feet again.