Here's how foodtech unicorn Zomato, and its delivery partners and staff are helping victims of Cyclone Fani

In light of the destruction caused by Cyclone Fani, foodtech unicorn Zomato on Wednesday announced a relief drive to provide succour for victims in the cyclone-affected area and pave the way for public participation.

In a blog post, Zomato stated,

“The scale of destruction has been heartbreaking – to say the least. But then, there are things that aren’t within our control and there are things that are. We can’t avert a furious cyclone but we must help others pick themselves up with whatever little we can."

Also read: In the wake of Cyclone Fani, Odisha emerges a role model in disaster preparedness

Zomato aims to collect over Rs 50 lakh from its 5,000 employees (Zomans) to aid the relief effort. The company also said that a large number of its 1.8 lakh registered delivery partners were eager to contribute to the cause, and expects to collect more than Rs 8 lakh from them alone.

The company also said its delivery partners in affected districts of Odisha who weren’t able to work would be compensated for the financial loss. Zomato will be matching their payout from two weeks ago and will credit that amount directly into their respective bank accounts.

Feeding India, a Delhi-based non-profit, has already reached several villages, providing food and basic amenities. The organisation, founded by Ankit Kawatra and Srishti Jain in 2014, works towards solving the hunger and food waste problem in India, and has been collaborating with Zomato since February.

Most families in the cyclone-hit villages have exhausted their food stocks and the demand for immediate supply of food and other basic materials is high. Zomato is bridging the gap and is offering people several options to participate in the relief drive by:

• Contributing food packages in disaster-hit districts at a subsidised charge of Rs 50 for one meal, Rs 500 for 10 and Rs 5,000 for 100.
• Signing up as a volunteer at Feeding India, to work along with other members of the non-profit at different locations affected by the cyclone.
• Donating relief materials such as utensils, clothes, toiletries, and other essentials at drop-off points in over 30 cities of India.

It will also publish a rupee-by-rupee account of where all funds are used.

Last year, Zomato also collaborated with the Akshaya Patra Foundation and provided 22 lakh meals for underprivileged kids in less than six months. 

Also read: Meet the Odisha cops who braved the fury of Cyclone Fani and rescued many