Flood of deceit: Fake fundraisers threaten genuine relief efforts
As flood-ravaged communities across Kullu and Seraj districts struggle to rebuild their lives, a parallel crisis is unfolding online — one that threatens to undermine the very spirit of public solidarity. A flood of digital fundraisers, claiming to support displaced families and victims of property loss, has inundated social media platforms in the aftermath of the devastating flash floods. While a few campaigns have reportedly delivered aid on the ground, many others operate without verifiable credentials, casting a long shadow of doubt among potential donors and residents concerned.
In the days immediately following the cloudburst, social media feeds were overtaken by desperate appeals. Organisers circulated heart-wrenching footage: children huddled in broken homes, families clinging to rooftops and volunteers braving dangerous conditions to distribute food and water. These emotional images, paired with QR codes, bank account numbers and WhatsApp contact details, prompted an outpouring of public sympathy. But the very speed and reach that enabled these campaigns to go viral have also made it difficult to determine which appeals are genuine and which might be opportunistic.
Several videos show chilling scenes — parents cradling toddlers amidst the ruins of their homes, farmers surveying fields turned into wastelands and overwhelmed locals queuing under tarpaulins for basic supplies. These visuals, while compelling, are often detached from any formally recognised aid group. Without a centralised verification system or official endorsement, donors are left unsure whether their contributions will truly reach those in need.
Frustrated by the lack of transparency, residents and local social workers are now calling on the district administration to intervene. One prominent community volunteer remarked, “People genuinely want to help. But they deserve clarity. The Deputy Commissioner must make public the official government relief fund’s bank details, along with a record of incoming donations and how those funds are being used.” Many are demanding that the administration launch a regularly updated, publicly accessible dashboard that can track both the inflow and outflow of relief funds in real time.
Memories of past disasters, when fraudsters exploited public goodwill to siphon off aid, have resurfaced. In Banjar, several residents have reported encountering groups that falsely claimed to be affiliated with the government. “When tragedy strikes, bad actors follow,” warned a local leader, echoing widespread concerns. The absence of checks and balances, they argue, risks sabotaging genuine relief work by eroding the public’s trust.
In response, citizens and non-governmental organisations alike are urging the administration to implement stricter oversight. They propose that all entities raising funds for disaster relief be registered with district authorities and subjected to regular audits by relevant financial bodies. Furthermore, they argue that each organisation should publish detailed, audited expense reports and that the government should maintain an official portal listing authorised fundraisers with updates on how donations are being utilised.
Residents believe that by confining official fundraising to trusted, well-monitored associations — particularly those with proven transparency mechanisms — the administration can rebuild confidence and ensure that relief reaches the victims most in need. These associations could include established NGOs certified by the local government or verified by independent auditors.
Even as rescue teams continue to clear debris and reconnect isolated villages, it is becoming clear that restoring transparency in fundraising is as crucial as physical rehabilitation. In the wake of such devastation, donors are looking not only to give but to give with confidence. And for the victims — who have lost homes, livelihoods and loved ones — timely and trustworthy aid could be the difference between despair and hope.
In the shadow of this disaster, building robust systems of accountability is no longer a bureaucratic formality — it is an act of public service. For amid the wreckage, the task now is not just to rebuild homes, but to restore faith.
Himachal Tribune