Providing Immediate Food Relief for COVID-19 Response in Assam

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unanticipated challenges. Assam reported 3,69,183  confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 2,739 deaths, as of 24 May 2021. Unprecedented impact of this global outbreak coupled with lockdown, economic downturn has immobilised the poor and marginalized communities. While the fragile health system of the country as well in the state has taken the maximum hit - food crisis, malnutrition,  psychological stress, domestic violence, are emerging as imminent humanitarian issues.  

Inadequate awareness about social distancing protocols and overall COVID-19 scare in rural parts of the state is holding families back to report them, which in turn is  accelerating health complications. Assam being an agrarian economy, the residents are primarily farmers and is 70% rural, and is known for monsoon flooding, which in itself drives multitudes towards destitution, every year.  

Therefore, development work to provide relief to marginalised communities in Jorhat district of Assam (which has been severely hit by the COVID crisis), is of utmost importance. To combat this crisis and serve the ultra-poor communities, INDIAdonates is working with its on-ground partner North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) to provide emergency relief work among the severely hit families. 

Considering the secondary disasters that are emerging due to the COVID – 19 crisis, such as malnutrition, economic and livelihood challenges, especially within marginalised communities, a dry ration food kit consisting of the following will be distributed to 270 vulnerable families:

• Rice 10 kg 
•  Pulses – 2 kg 
• Potato – 5 kg 
•  Onion – 2 kg 
•  Atta – 2 kg,  
• Mustard oil – 1 L 
• Soya – 1 packet  
•  Salt – 1 kg 
• Turmeric – 200 g 
• Biscuit – 500g