Nathuni (62) from Bhatawalia went up to the member of the emergency response team, to enquire about the donor. Having received the food kit, he rushed towards the volunteers with his query, “Could you tell me more about the person who is sponsoring, must be a very good soul! It takes a lot of determination and benevolence to think about people like us!”. One couldn’t escape the glimmer in his eyes.

Suffering from locomotor disability, Nathuni lost his son 3 years back. After his son’s untimely demise, he had to depend on his daughter in law, who is the sole breadwinner of the family. In the previous year, around this time, 40-year-old Radha would be busy working in the agriculture field, harvesting wheat. The wage which she received along with some share of wheat would ensure a two square meal for her son and father in law. However, fate has something else stored for this family of 3.

Fr. Anil then went on to describe the initiative undertaken by Caritas India and The Hans Foundation to reach out to poor communities, residing in the interiors of the country.

The outbreak of COVID-19 coupled with technological advancement in the form of mechanical reaper deprived her of the only means of livelihood. The family had to scrounge for food in the fields. “Sometimes, I receive a KG of rice from the good-hearted people in the neighborhood but it doesn’t last beyond two days”, Nathuni remarks. However, the food kit received would last for 20 days for the entire family and ease the worries of food shortage in his family.

The Government has extended financial assistance to the people facing this humanitarian crisis due to coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown, but a major section of the society can not avail of this assistance due to poor or no documents.

Caritas India with the support of Hans Foundation has come forward to reach out to 1500 most vulnerable families from Buxar and West Champaran districts of Bihar to provide food assistance. The team has carefully selected the migrant families, women-headed households, families living below the poverty line, and families with vulnerable members to ensure food security during this lockdown. The distribution of the Buxar district is already over for 1000 families mainly from Scheduled Caste and Nomadic tribe.