Post 21 Days of Lockdown as the Hon’ble Prime Minister declared Phase 2 with an extended Lockdown, Caritas India along with partners had an assessment to see how it has contributed towards the Health Emergency in India with collaboration with the Govt. at various levels of its intervention. It is at this juncture that we as an organization need to share our accountability not just in the resourcefulness of helping the needy in immediate assistance rather see how we are in align with the long-term solutions and interventions of the Govt. With the growing numbers of infected people across the country the distress of people suffering due to the issues of hunger and migration are an add on factor to the misery of our country’s fight against COVID 19. It has been a challenge to cater to the needs of the vulnerable and we are grateful for the support of our donors and the marvelous efforts of our partners across India in 23 States & 3 UTs who are working day and night to serve them at this hour of a National Crisis. Approx. 2 Lakh Meals is served to Migrants across the nation through the setup of 132 community kitchens with the collaboration of respective District Administrations in the designated sites.

Moving on Caritas India after its careful study of the 1^st phase of Lockdown has closely witnessed on the strategy of the government which emphasizes on the 5 T’s model announced by the CM of the capital that is a strategic move from a medical perspective to tackle with the pandemic. 5 T’s is an emphasizes on Testing– to provide ample kits and facilities to conduct tests and to make it available, Tracing – to provide proper quarantine infrastructure once an individual is tested positive, Tracing & Monitoring – to ensure that there is effective monitoring of the processes in order to avoid any lapses, Teamwork – to ensure that it’s not just the work of health professionals but a collective effort by each one of us as a team to support against this fight, because the our safety lies in our hands and lastly Treatment– to provide adequate treatment to everyone especially the affected vulnerable. Analyzing closely the model Caritas India is glad to have been working closely with the similar approach of the 5 BE’s from its inception to respond for COVID 19.

Be Informed It entails developing awareness communication materials, drawing from authentic sources and reaching out to young people and mass population through the institutions and faith-based organizations. Be Trained is to equip oneself with the required knowledge and skills for preventive and protective measures of COVID-19 and capacitate others. Be Cautioned is to take preventive measures to arrest the virus and to be mindful of the fake news being circulated through different mediums. Be Connected would mean remaining in touch with the needy community, collaborating with other faith organizations, local government machineries/ institutions to support and to amplify their response through engaging volunteers. Be Compassionate is to stand in solidarity with the suffering humanity and promote peace and harmony to prevent violence erupting out of racial discrimination. It also means to reduce the ill-impact of social disconnect through helpline for psychosocial support.

Caritas India along with its partners as has entered towards the 2^nd phase of the lockdown has initiated the strategic approach of preparing everyone to address the post pandemic situation. With around 2.6 billion people on the planet facing global lockdown in their respective countries, amongst which India shares 50% of the people, though the government is gearing up to set up vast testing centers but there is definite need to set up R-TEP (Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol) and G-TEP (Group Traumatic Episode Protocol) which are recommendations of the WHO to deal with post traumatic incidences especially under such a global health emergency. Taking cue from that we have started to initiate a national helpline number to cater to the needs of psychosocial support which would be linked to the various govt. services available on Mental Health for the assistance of the common man. This would help in the larger outreach to an issue that is not visible now but would become a post COVID 19 crisis, if not taken stock now and addressed. Along with all the initiatives that Caritas India has been undertaking from the Phase-1 Lockdown, this is an additional effort that we are beginning as our change of approach to tackle COVID 19 in the Phase -2 under Be Cautioned/Connected/Informed, etc.

As we have entered into Phase-2 we have delivered ample services across the country and are continuing to do so through promoting local economies by involving SHG women enterprises and volunteers to make hand stitched affordable masks that can be easily consumed at the community level given the current crisis of stock as the manufacturing supplies are largely needed for the Health Professionals who are working night and day for the country. A total of 0.6 million masks have been made and over 1 million masks overall are reached out to communities across India and is at an ongoing spree. Caritas India along with her partners have reached out to approx. 1.85 million people so far with various services under the 5 BE’s .

• Be Informed

1. Half a Million sensitized through IEC Materials on COVID 19 and practice of Social distancing during Relief Distributions across the country.
2. Amongst 1.81 Million People reached out to 0.2 Million are Migrants displaced in different parts of the country who have been catered too.

• Be Trained

1. 0.6 Million Hand Stitched Masks to promote Local Economies

• Be Cautioned

1. Over 1 Million Masks Distributed all over India.
2. Approx 30805 Santizers & Hygiene Kits Distributed.

• Be Connected

1. Approx 4000 Staff of Caritas India & Her Partners through Technology are connected and coordinating the Emergency Response across the country.

• Be Compassionate

1. EK DANA (Food through Community Kitchen) to over 2 Lakh Individuals Every Day
2. 1.6 Million have been provided with Dry Ration for their families for a period of 14 days.
3. Community Participation through establishing 134 Community Kitchens in different parts of the country.