COVID-19 UPDATE - HOW MUCH HAVE WE RAISED SO FAR?

HOW MUCH MONEY HAS OUR HUMANITARIAN APPEAL RAISED SO FAR?

We are delighted to report that the emergency appeal we launched on the 14th of April has now raised over £20,000. This is an outstanding and rapid response from our supporters and all of us at Salt of the Earth wish to thank most warmly everyone who has contributed to it.

HOW ARE WE USING YOUR DONATIONS?

You will be glad to know that some money from the appeal is already on its way to our three partner organisation in Tamil Nadu. Most of it will go on supplying basic food packs to hundreds of the most needy families who have been left destitute by the sudden lockdown in India four weeks ago. These families are also being provided with free clean drinking water from the Reverse Osmosis plants that this charity has previously funded. A small amount is being used to provide protective clothing for field staff. We are also funding the production of simple face masks made by a Women’s Self Help Group.

HOW MANY NEW COVID-19 CASES ARE THERE IN THE REMOTE VILLAGES WE SUPPORT?

Mercifully there have been no new reported cases of the virus in any of the villages we support so, for now, the lockdown is working. Working restrictions for agricultural workers, who make up the biggest proportion of the working population, have now been eased. However, this is not the time of year in Tamil Nadu when there is a lot of agricultural work available and there is still a ban on public transport. So family income is still uncertain.

Despite this partial relaxation, our three partner organisations are anticipating there will be a continuing need for emergency food distribution. In view of this, we are keeping the emergency appeal fund open.

It costs £1 per day to feed 2 families. £10 will feed 100 people. £100 will feed 6 families for a month.

Thank you.