In India, the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented national lockdown has severely affected basic livelihood security of a large number of people engaged in the informal sector. Even though the national and state governments have announced relief measures, the most vulnerable sections of the society who lack a ration card (that is an officially registered address) will not be eligible for any relief schemes.
Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG) was contacted by village leaders and youth to help in identifying such destitute people in the region and providing them with immediate relief measures. AVAG’s Community Based Organisations (CBO), namely Palaam and Women’s Self- Help Groups (SHG) in each village are helping Panchayat government secretaries in this task. We estimate about 1000 people in 35 villages are in dire need of such help.
We would like to help by giving materials in kind. Each beneficiary will get a relief packet worth Rs.1000 comprising basic food items, namely rice, lentils, oil, sugar, spices, onions and tomatoes as well as sanitation materials like soap. Our immediate target is to help 200 people in the surrounding villages of Auroville. We would be grateful for your support in this task.
Any donation, big or small, is most welcome. We will keep you updated of the progress of our work. Last but not least, we would like to mention that AVAG’s Udhayam Women Federation, has given its commitment to help 250 vulnerable single women with a similar relief package, and the staff of AVAG are donating a percentage of their monthly salary to this fund.
We sincerely thank you for your solidarity and generosity.
AVAG Team