Neyyattinkara Integral Development Society (NIDS) had formed a Task Force in collaboration with Caritas India as part of Disaster Clinics, Disaster Risk Reduction Navajeevan programme of Caritas India. The task force has been engaging in the risk reduction of unexpected disaster and natural calamities affecting the areas. The task force is trained by the National health mission, an active member of inter-agency group Trivandrum headed by the District Collector. Moreover, this group has the permission of the State Disaster Management Agency.

During Covid-19 pandemic, this task force was very active and in the forefront in helping the people through awareness creation and distribution of food kits to the deserving families. The subsequent increase in the number of Covid-19 deaths and the funerals of the deceased was a major challenge confronted by the health department due to the families fear of contamination. A child’s death due to Covid-19 created an appalling situation in Neyyanttinkara, the family was struggling to bury the body but no one was ready to touch the dead body but finally, the burial was done with the help of JCB. In this situation, realizing this need of burying the dead in a deserving manner as per Covid-19 protocol, NIDS task force enters as Samaritans. Since the number of deaths was increasing day by day the strength of the task force was also increased to attend different places simultaneously. Hence, NIDS decided to strengthen the team by adding more volunteers in this task force and presently NIDS Caritas Samaritans reached 147 in number.

In this situation, as part of the expansion of Caritas Samaritan task force, NIDS organized a webinar cum training on 7th November 2020 to welcome, enrol and train 147 Volunteers. Most Rev. (Dr.) Vincent Samuel, Bishop of Neyyattinkara officially inaugurated the webinar and appreciated the service of the Samaritan task force especially in the time of the pandemic. He said that “this task force is following the example of the good Samaritan in the gospel. We help the needy whom we see but there are more people who need the support and services whom we do not see, and this task force may reach the unattended and spread the true spirit of a Good Samaritan”. The Bishop also congratulated NIDS for taking the initiative to form such a task force to meet the dire need of offering an honourable burial to the Covid-19 victims without any reward or remuneration with a generous heart subsequently.

Fr. Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India delivered a special message on the occasion and inaugurated the Samaritan task force online registration. “The service of Caritas India and Samaritan task force is truly the service of love of Jesus. We show our brothers with love as per the tradition and teachings of the church. Caritas India initiated the formation of the Samaritan Task Force in 2018 during the Kerala flood. Now there are 23000 volunteers in Samaritan Task Force in Kerala,” said Fr. Paul. He expressed his happiness to the team of Caritas Samaritans for their valuable services rendering to the society during this time of the pandemic.

Shri. Sabarinath, MLA delivered the facilitation message. He appreciated the great service of NIDS to society at large. He said, “I feel proud watching the humanitarian service of NIDS in the jurisdiction of my constituency” and expressed his happiness to be part of this webinar. Msg. G Christudas, Vicar General of Neyyattinkara Diocese stated that “the church is proud of your services and the society is proud of your services. Caritas is proud of its services; the diocese is proud of its services.” He continued, “now the world is passing through a very critical phase and I am glad knowing that more youngsters have come forward to serve the society by joining the Samaritan Taskforce.”

Two orientation session was a part of this webinar. The training on the Role of Volunteers in Disaster Management was taken by Mr. Joe George State Project officer, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. He highlighted the basic principles of disaster management and the ethics of Volunteers. Dr. Joy John, Officer, National Health Mission handled a session on Protocol in the conduct of funeral of covid-19 patients and how to prevent the spread of covid-19. The 2 orientation sessions were useful for the new volunteers. The programme was officially concluded by the vote of thanks by Mr. Biju Antony, Coordinator, NIDS.