Caught Amid Covid Crisis, Community Counts on Bal Raksha Bharat

04/05/21

Story of Change

33

“We know that everyone is gripped in fear, we also know we have support from Bal Raksha Bharat.

“I had been living in fear, asking for money and food from neighbours when on the verge of starvation. I felt embarrassed asking people in our community for money and handful of rations for day-to-day survival. We had no choice but to take one day at a time.

Then we received support from Bal Raksha Bharat. We got food kit, Covid care kit. which me and my family most needed. It was a blessing. We didn’t have to ask anyone for help now. The support from Bal Raksha Bharat gave us not only what we needed, but also gave back to us our life with dignity.

With their support, I have been able to protect my family from being infected by the virus as the situation has turned for the worse this year,” says 30-year-old Neetu, the mother of two and no earning member. She lives in a slum cluster in the south east district of India’s capital.

Neetu’s family was adversely affected during the first lockdown of March 2020 when Manoj lost his income and again in March of 2021 with the second COVID surge and lockdown. As daily wage earners, the family lives on a day-to-day income with Rs 300-400 coming in on good days. A lockdown and movement restriction means that many days of survival support lost, often leaving them to starve.

Neetu’s two-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son are not going to school right now, but they know they are protected from the virus that unleashed unprecedented devastation, death and despair in the country. With the health systems overburdened and oxygen supply shrinking, hundreds are dying a day inside hospitals and many more waiting for a bed and oxygen.

Families like Neetu’s have the best chance of survival if they strictly following the motto – prevention is better than cure – maintain physical distance, follow hygiene norms, wear masks to keep virus at bay.

“We know that everyone is gripped in fear, we also know we have support from Bal Raksha Bharat. With the basic essentials like food, medicine, masks and other COVID care items made available, we are safe in the confines of our homes,” says Neetu.

Children at the Centre of COVID’s Second Surge – Your Support Matters

As the Coronavirus tsunami sweeps cities and towns across India, the vulnerable children who already grappled with issues like lack of education and healthcare, compromised safety and abuse, are at a high risk of suffering even more. The pandemic threatens to reverse the gains made for children and jeopardizes their future gravely.

Bal Raksha Bharat is geared up to respond to this unprecedented emergency and will be reaching 1 million children and their communities. Our response will cover providing Oxygen Support, COVID Care Kits, Hygiene Kits, Food Baskets, Livelihood Support and Psycho-social Support. We cannot do this alone. Help us reach those in real need by making a contribution. DONATE NOW.

Gaurav Sharma

Content Reviewer

“I am an editor and technical specialist at Bal Raksha Bharat, responsible for publishing articles and posts. My role involves evaluating content for consistency, and ensuring a positive user experience across the website."