Aasraa in the Time of COVID-19
COVID – 19 Relief Work
Distribution of Ration Pack for Unemployed Migrant and Daily Wage Laborers
As we all find ourselves in unchartered territory, we must take a moment to think of those who do not have access to the very things, which may help save their lives. Our slum and street children do not have access to clean water to drink, let alone wash hands and use sanitizer. They live in cramped quarters of ten and twelve to a shanty room where social distancing is impossible. We aim to provide supplementary ration packs to families in need, who have been worst affected due to this pandemic.
Aasraa has responded to the dire needs of family’s worst hit by this pandemic with urgency and strict protocols, we have taken the following steps:
– Aasraa’s outreach team and teaching staff carried out an extensive door-to-door awareness drive across the slum settlements where our children reside. During our awareness drive, team members distributed pamphlets that display precautionary measures (drafted based on guidelines of WHO, CDC, and MoHFW).
– We were asked by the District Magistrate and Additional Secretary of Planning to be actively involved in the front line disaster relief effort and were the first NGO to be given permission to reach out to people directly in slums. Our knowledge of these areas and ability to penetrate these zones was required. Aasraa has been involved in fundraising, sourcing and packaging food parcels and distribution. All food distribution is being done in collaboration with the police. To date, 1st April 2020, Aasraa has distributed over 1300 dry ration packs (each pack is able to sustain a family of 6 for a week). Going forward we aim to distribute 350 packs a day.
– Our vans, healthcare workers and outreach teams have divided the city into FIVE zones and are continuously monitoring the health of our children and their families. An emergency helpline number has been put up on the pamphlets, and the medical team is available in their service throughout the day, reporting cases with fever, cough.
– The Ministry of Women and Child Development has requested us to setup quarantine facilities in the eventuality of spread of the virus.
These ration pack contain items like Flour, Rice, Lentils, Milk Powder, Salt, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Cooking spices, Tea, Soap (washing clothes and self) and Vegetables. Moreover, can feed a family of 6 for up to 7 days.
Aasraa is indebted to you, our donors who have helped us, with such loving compassion, to feed the unemployed workforce of our city.
Cost for each pack of dry rations – INR 1200 or 16 USD
We are reaching out to you to come forward and join hands with us. Funds received will be used for buying and distributing dry rations to families that reside in the slums and streets of Dehradun. If in case, a need arises for expenditure on medical / quarantine facilities.
