In its continued commitment to serving marginalized and disaster-affected communities, Miles2Smile Foundation, in collaboration with Sir Ramzan Memorial Trust, successfully carried out a comprehensive relief and healthcare initiative in the remote valley of Margi, Warwan in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. The intervention reached dozens of vulnerable families, ensuring access to essential resources, medical support, and renewed hope amidst adversity.
Background: Isolation and Hardship in Warwan Valley
Warwan Valley remains one of the most geographically isolated regions of Jammu & Kashmir. While its natural beauty remains unmatched, the valley is frequently cut off from the mainland for months due to harsh climatic conditions, infrastructural neglect, and limited access to healthcare and livelihood opportunities. Recent environmental calamities, including flash floods and cloudbursts, have left several families grappling with loss of homes, livelihoods, and the basic means of survival. Women, children, and the elderly, in particular, continue to bear the brunt of these hardships. It was against this backdrop that Miles2Smile Foundation, known for its swift humanitarian response and sustained relief interventions across conflict and disaster-affected regions, extended its efforts to the far reaches of Warwan Valley.
Relief Distribution: Rebuilding Dignity Through Essentials
The relief operation, conducted jointly by Miles2Smile and Sir Ramzan Memorial Trust, reached 41 families in the village of Margi, providing flour, rice, utensils, and warm blankets items crucial for survival and comfort as the region approaches winter. These essentials were distributed after an on-ground needs assessment conducted by both teams, ensuring that the aid reached the most vulnerable households, including widows, elderly individuals, and families with young children.
Medical Camp: Bringing Healthcare Where It’s Needed Most
Recognizing that relief cannot be holistic without addressing health and wellbeing, Miles2Smile also organized a medical camp that benefited over 200+ families in Margi, providing free check-ups, medical consultations, and essential medicines. Access to healthcare in Warwan is extremely limited due to poor road connectivity and the absence of permanent medical infrastructure. For many villagers, this was the first time in months that they were able to consult a healthcare professional. The camp included basic screenings for common ailments, distribution of medicines for chronic conditions, and health awareness sessions focusing on hygiene, nutrition, and preventive care. The medical team emphasized women’s and children’s health, given the heightened vulnerability of these groups in post-disaster contexts.
A local resident expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying: “When the valley was hit by the cloudburst, we felt cut off from the world. Today, seeing doctors and volunteers reach our doorsteps gives us strength. It feels like someone remembered us.”
Miles2Smile’s Continued Commitment
Over the past years, Miles2Smile Foundation has been actively involved in relief, rehabilitation, and educational initiatives across India particularly in regions affected by communal violence, displacement, and natural disasters. From rebuilding homes in Delhi’s riot-hit areas to setting up schools for orphans in Nuh and offering psychosocial support to survivors, the organization continues to extend its mission of restoring smiles where pain once resided. Its presence in Warwan underscores the Foundation’s belief that no place is too far, and no community too forgotten, when it comes to serving humanity. Beyond the immediate relief, Miles2Smile envisions sustained engagement in the region, including initiatives focused on education, healthcare accessibility, and livelihood generation.
