COVID-19 NEWS IN FROM INDIA 10.04.2020

JUST IN FROM INDIA - COVID-19 UPDATE

"Here in India, things are getting worse, day by day. The Government is now preparing the ground for extension of the lockdown. But we are not sure yet, for how long.

Our Rural Development Centre is open daily and our staff are working there, as they are residing nearby and can walk to the facility. The distribution of food packets is managed by our staff and respective village volunteers.

SOTE sponsored children receiving food packages

We are distributing food packets daily now in five of the 15 villages. We are in the process of distribution of dry Grocery kits in the 6 villages to the families of our sponsored children, and also to families where there are disabled persons, the old aged and the sick. Each Grocery kit consists of a bag of 25 kgs rice, 3 Ks dal, sambhar masalas and a few sachets of pickle. Along with the kit they are also given 2 bars of bathing soaps.

Social distancing is difficult to enforce in India, and we are doing all we can to keep the rural poor fed in these vital circumstances.

Children waiting in line for food

Most of the deaths in the crowded slums are hardly registered. They just take the dead bodies and burn them or bury them. They have no documentation. Lockdown guidelines are being enforced very strictly by the police with regard to the movement of vehicles which are seized, and people loitering around are punished."

J.L.Fernandes, CEO, MASARD

Food being prepared in village kitchen.

Salt of the Earth would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support in this crisis. Your loyalty and commitment to supporting the rural poor is what drives our organisation. Thank you.