Caritas India’s social work partner Diocesan Development & Welfare Society (DDWS) Allahabad distributed Ration Kits and Protection Kits to the Aadiwasi (Khol) marginalised families of Shankergarh block in the Prayagraj District of Uttar Pradesh during the covid pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented shortage of food and basic amenities, as the household economy was badly shattered due to loss of livelihood. DDWS with the financial support of Caritas India provided dry ration, face mask, sanitiser, oximeter, steam inhaler to 1500 families mainly working in the stone mine areas under the Saksham program.

DDWS also focused on children, men, women and elderly people who have been suffering from any such symptoms related to this pandemic. Volunteers were engaged to conduct survey and help to maintain social distance during the distribution. The most vulnerable population including farmers, livestock holders, daily wage workers, roadside small vendors, homeless, construction workers, migrant’s labourers, and several low-income groups etc. were selected for this support.

During this period, DDWS sensitized the community on preventive and precautionary measures to arrest the spread of COVID 19. Around 87 were engaged COVID-19 in awareness and distribution work including 60 volunteers working with the SAKSHAM team in Seva Dal Group under Government. DDWS has also taken an initiative to promote awareness through miking, wall writing, and printed materials related to covid19.

Coordination was established to deliver support through existing mechanisms and partnerships with different government departments such as Block, Bank, Panchayat Pradhans, Forest department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and health department for Face mask, Soap, Ration and Green vegetables which were distributed among the targeted families under SAKSHAM project. Loss of agricultural products was compensated to the members of the farmers club formed under the Saksham program. SAKSHAM Staff also personally helped people to fill forms to receive financial help under various Govt. Schemes.

Increased level of social distancing was enforced at the village level by opening single entry and exit points to prevent the entry of outsiders. The residents of the village along with the Saksham team guarded these entry and exit points day and night.