COVID 19 RELIEF WORK
The first case of the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic India was reported on 30 January 2020, originating from China. On 22 March 2020, India observed a 14-hour voluntary public curfew at the instance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government followed it up with lockdowns in 75 districts where COVID cases had occurred as well as all major cities. Further, on 24 March, the Prime Minister ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, affecting the entire 1.3 billion population of India. On 14 April, the Prime Minister extended the ongoing nationwide lockdown till 3 May which was further extended till 31st May. The economic devastation caused by the lockdown, has huge effects on informal workers, micro and small enterprises, farmers and the self-employed, who are left with no livelihood in the absence of transportation and access to markets.
These measures are having very serious repercussions on the livelihoods of the poor and the vulnerable living in the rural areas. Life is especially difficult and miserable for the group who are categorized as the ‘daily wage laborers’. Though government has announced many relief packages, they are limited when faced with the size of population in India.
Our target group consists of the rural poor who are daily wage laborers, lepers, gypsies and beggars located in Manikandam Panchayat. We have been associated with these communities for the past 18 years. We have seen a gradual growth and transformation in their mentality, lifestyle and competencies. Now during this turbulent time we feel called to reach out to 684 families located in 3 villages. We work in collaboration with the local leaders and community volunteers to meet the need for food supplies.
ASSIST the Social Development Office of the Province along with the community of Divyadhanam and the Provincial House have succeeded in mobilizing funds and providing food supplies to families of our Evening study center students, Self-Employment Group members and those in need in the surrounding 3 villages. We have also provided 75 sets of PPE (Mask and Gloves) to the local Police. Currently the members of Sudaroli Self-Employment Group are engaged in stitching masks.
|
Date |
No. of Families |
Village/Category |
|
15.03.2020 |
30 |
Leper Colony, Manikandam |
|
09.04.2020 |
117 |
Daily wage earners Ambedhkarnagar |
|
10.04.2020 |
15 |
Housekeeping & Farm laborers |
|
16.04.2020 |
43 |
QA Students |
|
18.04.2020 |
116 |
SC families in Manikandam |
|
24.04.2020 |
95 |
Daily wage earners Ambedhkarnagar |
|
30.04.2020 |
128 |
Gypsies & Beggars, Gandhinagar |
|
19.05.2020 |
214 |
Daily wage earners Ambedhkarnagar |
We express our gratitude to Mother Provincial for her approval and financial support. Our heartfelt thanks to Sr. Michaela Cruz, for generously sharing the donations and allowing the Novice to prepare the food supply packets with prayer and love. Our special thanks to the Donors, Local Leaders and Police for their collaboration in extending our helping hand to the people in need.
Sr. Azarias Arokia Mary Selvi
Social Development Coordinator