COVID-19 UPDATE - HOW ARE SOTE USING YOUR DONATIONS?

Salt of the Earth has been supporting rural development projects in South India, for the past 35 years. In total, we have raised over £4.5 million and directly impacted around 1.5 million people. We fund water generation, environmental awareness, women’s empowerment, education, job generation and health awareness projects. We are committed to supporting the rural poor, and attending to their most pressing needs.

In 2004, we launched a disaster relief appeal, to support the poor who were effected by the Tsunami. Now, we have launched a campaign to provide basic food and necessities to the villages we support, during the Coronavirus crisis.

How are the rural poor in Tamil Nadu villages effected by COVID-19?

No Government Identification

The people we support are at the very bottom of the caste system in India. They are classed as ‘Dalit’s’ - commonly referred to as ‘untouchables’. They have little access to roads and transport, and many are illiterate. As a result, they hold no form of government Identification, and the eyes of the authorities are ‘unseen’. They are unable to access support from government crisis schemes, as they are not registered as eligible people.

No daily work available

With no government ID, many rely on daily work in fields and factories, for a payment of around 500 rs. (£5) per day for males, and 300 rs. (£3) for women. This work is irregular, but provides a small amount of money that can be used to buy food and necessities. Daily work is currently cancelled. Because of this, the rural poor are left with no money, no savings and no hope. With transport also cancelled, these people are stranded in remote villages and cannot afford or access food.

How are Salt of the Earth supporting these vulnerable people?

Salt of the Earth are partnered with three NGOs in Tamil Nadu - MASARD, CRUSADE and CARE. Between these organisations, we help to support over 250,000 people. All of our work relies on the local knowledge and commitment of our partners on the ground. They are integral to our work and have a close relationship with all the villages we support.

Our partners have a team of dedicated volunteers, that they have trained under our development scheme. These people, who are also classed as ‘very poor’, are a catalyst for change in their communities. They provide health care support, run women’s self help groups and act as a point of call for members of the village. It is these volunteers who have been distributing the food supplies obtained by our NGOs, and have been ensuring that the members of each village are fed.

Due to their status and history in supporting vulnerable people, our NGOs have been in contact with the government, who have provided them with a pass to travel to each village and buy food supplies at a discounted price for the rural poor. Although the government are not supporting the poor directly, this has enabled us to purchase more food and help more people. We have supplied, cooking kits; rice, vegetables, and fibres, and with further funds from our appeal, are now supplying 20-litre purified water bottles.

SUPPORT OUR HUMANITARIAN APPEAL

This is a life or death situation. It costs £1 per day to feed 2 families. £10 will feed 100 people. £100 will feed 6 families for a month. Every penny that you give will be sent directly to our project partners in Tamil Nadu without any deductions. Thank you.