Covid-19 has spread widely across India and the wide-ranging consequences of the pandemic and the lockdown have started to emerge. Our working area of Udaipur and Rajsamand districts have seen a rise in the positive cases and are now amongst the most severely affected regions in Rajasthan.
During this period, we have increased our relief efforts to support families living in villages and urban slums of Udaipur and Rajsamand districts. Until now, we have provided more than 38,500 relief kits for sanitation, food, storing grain and personal protection. Our comprehensive awareness campaign on Covid-19 has focused on the symptoms of Covid-19, how to protect those most at risk, quarantine methods and more. Additionally, we are also coordinating with the government to support their own relief efforts. We are regularly sharing updates of our relief efforts on our dedicated Covid-19 page on our website which you find here.
Now, it is essential that we look forward and begin the second phase of rehabilitation efforts. The economic consequences of Covid-19 are becoming apparent and the families and communities that we work with will be disproportionately affected.
Millions of migrant workers have embarked on a treacherous journey back to their homes, mostly to rural villages. They have lost their jobs and can no longer provide an essential means of income for their families. When they arrive home, they become an extra mouth to feed, putting pressure on already meagre household resources.
As a solution for this, we have initiated activities to provide people with locally based jobs that focus on land and water resource development. Additionally, our teams are preparing plans with farmers to arrange seeds and other inputs needed for the monsoon agricultural season. We are also reviewing our programmes and resume them gradually whilst adhering to the social distancing norms.
It is heartening to see the democratically elected Village Institutions facilitated by Seva Mandir are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of their communities. They are making sure the needs of their communities are met through support from the local government and Seva Mandir. The institutions are making every effort to keep the social fabric and support systems intact, and that the values of trust and cooperation among the communities continue. Now, the institution’s role is even more vital.
We are deeply grateful for your overwhelming support and messages of encouragement. Until now, over INR 6 million has been spent in providing relief. We have a long way to go and we need your continued support.
You can be part of this effort whether it is by donating to Seva Mandir, by spreading the word of our efforts to people you know, or just by sending us your messages of support.
Once again, thank you for your unwavering support of Seva Mandir. Please stay healthy and safe.
Best wishes,
Ronak Shah
Chief Executive
Seva Mandir