Ever since the Lockdown, Development Association of Nagaland (DAN), Diocesan partner of Caritas India, has been a source of blessing to many who were from within the state as well as outside the state. People from different walks of life have been affected due to the lockdown. Most of those who live in and around Dimapur are either businesspeople or are labourers who depend on daily wages.

Seeing the pandemonium of people at this juncture, DAN approached various officials of the state to extend the support in addressing the immediate needs of the marginalized and poor families during lockdown. It was not that easy to get through, when the state and the public officers themselves were not prepared for such unprecedented emergencies.

As on May 29, the organization has reached out to 13,829 people with around 2600 dry ration kits that includes rice, dal, oil, potatoes, cereals, sugar, tea leaves, milk and milk products. This unfailing and determined efforts won the hearts of the state administration and common people. And this is how the story of change began. DAN has become a visible sign of God’s unending love for humanity through the kind deeds rendered to the needy strangers and to the neighbours.

DAN has also started reaching out to people in the quarantine centres. The administrative officials asked DAN to support the inmates in the quarantine centres with cooked food, which the organisation has happily accepted. The organization faced challenge in getting volunteers for the distribution as everyone feared getting in contact with the deadly virus. Parents themselves were not willing to send their children out of their home.

However, some brave hearts did come forward. They do not go back home during the service. They have been given accommodation facilities and food and other stationary requirements by DAN. The organisation has ensured a safe stay for them while they are in the service.  Apart from the logistic requirements, the organization has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for each volunteer and three pairs of gloves and three masks each day and other hygienic items.

The food is prepared by the designated caterers in two kitchens located at Agri Expo, 3^rd mile, Dimapur.  The volunteers used to pick the packed food from these two kitchens and deliver door to door.

The inmates are given three meals a day, starting with breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food delivery starts at 6.30 in the morning and ends with Dinner supply at 7.00 PM. Almost 90% of the inmates are students who have returned from different cities and the remaining 10% are people who work in the companies, call centres with skilled and unskilled jobs.

The Catholic Church of Nagaland and Social Work Wing has also offered the education institutions to the administration for quarantine purpose.  There are 302 people in the quarantine centres, out of which 230 are in St. Joseph University and 72 are in St. Joseph Sr. Sec. School.

 “I am happy that we were able to serve the people but there were also lot of unforeseen challenges”, shares Fr. Charles Stanislaus, Director of the Social Work Wing of the Diocese of Kohima. He informed that volunteers had to be trained with all the precautions and safety measures, before they could be engaged in the service. Their safety is DAN’s responsibility which is a big task in itself. Clear SOPs have been given to the volunteers for dealing with the members who are in the quarantine centres.

The volunteers are happy and satisfied with the kind of service that is provided through DAN. The director was applauded with words of appreciation from the food committees and the administrative officers as well for the good leadership which has ignited great enthusiasm and motivation to the volunteers, and quality service was delivered in a well-coordinated manner, maintaining hygiene and safety measures always. The volunteers also witnessed the satisfaction from the quarantine members and the rapport established between DAN and Government of Nagaland which was significant.