WEBINAR: Managing Self, Staff & Environment – Maintaining a Stress free Healthy Life

CYSD organised a Webinar on “Managing Self, Staff and Environment: Maintaining a Stress Free Health Life” on 22 April 2020 between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm to help prepare the staff members to fight COVID-19 Pandemic intelligently.

The Webinar deliberated on how to take precautionary measures during Coronavirus outbreak – social distancing, hand washing and staying at home are the only ways to remain away from the virus; and how important is practicing Yoga,  proper exercise and taking nutritious food. Besides, focus was given on a leader, who needs to talk to his team and listen to the team regularly. The staff should acquire new technology and learn the marketing skills to excel and sustain in the changing situation. Further, uncertainty brings fear and anxiety to one’s mind automatically and navigating the pandemic requires better understanding about the unusual life experience and learning to accept it. So balancing of all priorities is need of the hour. Apart, four important things i.e. physical wellbeing, balanced diet, sufficient water intake and protecting self plays critical role during pandemic. However, strong willpower and commitment can help one to overcome the difficult situation.

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Stay Safe, Hopeful and Active while Responding to COVID-19 Crisis

In the COVID 19 crisis, to abet the outbreak, CYSD launches “CITIZEN’S SUPPORT CENTRE, for citizens to avail assistance. This is an Interactive Voice Response (IVR)-based helpline by the leading civil society organisation, CYSD, to help people by addressing frequent queries regarding Covid-19 while maintaining social distance. The virtual call-centre is available in multiple languages and can be reached by the users by dialling to the toll-free number 888 0 592 592 seven days a week between 10am to 5pm. The system is operated, and is being promoted in association with organisations called Healthbot, Aaina and Human Context and managed by a team of backend support professionals including doctors and expert counsellors.

As part of the Corona Virus Task force, CYSD has enrolled digitally empowered rural women called Internet Saathis to put a gender lens on the response to COVID 19. The help line phone number of the Citizens support Centre is publicised by the entire Internet Saathi network and is being facilitated by them at the ground level. The women Internet Saathis are the drivers of this help line initiatives. The 2286  women enrolled as Internet Saathi network includes 6900+ women groups reaching out to 274800+ community members with COVID 19 related valid information in 8000+ villages of the state of Odisha. These women have been actively taking part and responding to the COVID 19 pandemic preparedness, response and recovery. We know that the disease affects women and men differently and hence CYSD has ramped up its efforts to address the unique needs of girls and women by engaging a women task force.

The Internet Saathis has played a vital role in meeting shortfalls in masks, sanitizers and protective equipment, running free kitchens at the same time curbing social-media misinformation and providing evidence based credible information among the rural and slum communities of the state. At this pivotal time of an unprecedented 40-day lockdown, as the crisis intensifies around the world, to defeat the coronavirus, the collective strength of Internet Saathis has come to the fore front. Internet Saathis are working as front line health workers and collaborating with our networks and are producing facemasks, running community kitchens, delivering essential food supplies, sensitizing people about health and hygiene and sharing essential, verified and appropriate information through the social media.

While there is a huge in-flow of fake, unverified social media messages threatening human mind, an information source such as the Citizen Support Centre is becoming very useful in helping individuals get an emergency response to common queries on coronavirus, know about the Government entitlements, advisories as well as easy access to it. The centre also provides psychological counselling support and essentially the virtual health care support through the expert doctors. This initiative has become important particularly at a time when the number of individuals infected with the novel coronavirus strain is on the rise in India, giving a potentially high risk of individuals spreading misinformation on the outbreak, or forwarding misleading remedies and knowhow that may, in the long run, cause more harm than good. In the meantime, this has become a means of getting localised information for the people who have been waiting in different states to come back to Odisha after the lock-down period is over. The centre has played a vital role in serving more than thousands of people including migrant workers, rural ultra-poor, people outside the state and health-seekers.

The state will witness a surge of migrant labourers in few days where huge numbers of suddenly out-of-work families will start coming back to their villages- this shows how critical it is for authentic information to filter down to the grassroots. At this critical moment the women Internet Saathis, who are trained and equipped with digital devices have become the means for information sharing among hard-to-reach populations. These women leaders are using their vast WhatsApp network group to ward off chaos and confusion, providing critical support to the community in this hour of need. They have been crucial in spreading awareness on hand washing and social distancing and health literacy campaign among the rural and slum community. They use their devices and internet to gather information and share the same. At the same time, they have also become the hub for information on Government declared entitlements, advisories and helpline units.

CYSD’s Citizen Support Centre with its task force of women Internet Saathis is contributing to evidence based communication and advocacy tools and providing front line health services and humanitarian relief. It is worth mentioning that this is the Cyclone and heat wave season of Odisha. Therefore, CYSD is making real time efforts to address the dual challenges of disaster preparedness and the pandemic impacts and responses simultaneously, including nationwide lockdown to enable social distancing to bring down the spread of the disease.

As of now, the Centre has received 845 calls and responded to the clients successfully. Out of the total calls received; 378 were related to basic information about Covid–19, 370 calls were on access to entitlements, 64 calls on virtual care, and 33 pertaining to psycho -social counselling. Further, out of total calls received, 736 calls were from women and 109 from men.

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Corona Adds to Miseries of Tamarind Collectors in Koraput

Owing to the lockdown, in South Odisha, especially in Boipariguda block of Korapur district, the Tamarind collectors (members of Producer Group), have been facing difficulties in selling their produce in the local market. March – April is the harvesting time for tamarind. Unprocessed tamarind cannot be reserved for longer duration as there is risk of perishing and pest attack due to moisture contain. Taking the advantage, the local traders are not offering the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the tamarind collectors. M/s. Sabujima Producer Company Ltd (SPCL) of Boipariguda, promoted with the technical support and guidance of CYSD has come forward to procure the tamarind from the local Producer Groups and its shareholders, with the MSP. In the meanwhile, SPCL has got an order to supply 10 tons of deseeded tamarind to ‘Safe Harvest’ based in Bangalore.

“We are quite hopeful that SPCL will be able to supply the targeted quantity of tamarind to ‘Safe Harvest’ on time and accrue some profit for our company, said Mrs. Mani Majhi, the Chairperson of SPCAL.

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Lockdown Brings Innovation among Children

Following the outbreak of Coronavirus, nationwide lockdown declared by the Government has invited huge impact on the lives of the children. They are distracted from education as their annual examinations have been completed and new classes are suspended. Owing to lockdown, their normal movements and playing in groups have been restricted. They are sitting idle at home and barely waiting for when there will be lifting of lockdown and they will be free from the prison. If the lockdown continues further, the situation may lead them to depression.

For holistic development of the children and youths in Rayagada district, CYSD has been engaged with anout 600 children for last 3 years in partnership with ChildFund India. Considering the gravity of the situation, some innovative home-based activities are planned, like Art & Craft, creative writings – poem, song, stories and slogans to create community awareness on Corona engaging the children.  Art & craft materials including, note books, paper and pen have been distributed to the children of 33 operational villages through child clubs. Besides, CYSD team has also mobilized resources from other NGOs and local corporate houses in close coordination with Block Administration to support a total of 2165 children of Kolnara Block (GPs, like Gadiseskhal, Kolnara, Suri, Therubali, Rekhapadar, etc.) and Rayagada blocks (GPs of Kotapeta, Kontalpeta, Karlakona, Chandili and Penta) in the district. It has been decided that in every week under each segment one child will be felicitated at the Block level. The creative works of the children will be uploaded in the ‘Mo Prativa’ Programme website launched by the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Govt. of Odisha in collaboration with UNICEF.

The innovating programme has experienced a grand success in first week of its launching. Children are very enthusiastic and have expressed their ground-breaking thoughts through Art Work and Writings. Indeed, they are enjoying the lockdown period staying at home.

“I was bored sitting idle at home. The art and craft material supplied to us have inspired a lot to sketch our inventive thoughts. I am enjoying this lockdown time in painting, drawing and writing stories among friends. I am surprised, how the time passes by”, says G. Regalpadu, member of a Child Club with cheerfulness in his lips.

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A Stitch in Time Saves Nine:Young Girls Navigated Mask Production Centre

Covid-19 Pandemic has worsen the life and livelihoods of the people at large. Looking at the increased number of coronavirus positive cases, nationwide lockdown has been declared to break the chain of pandemic. The national and state governments’ advisories have restricted the normal movement of people and completely suspended the running of public transport facilities. Social distancing, frequent hand washing with soap and use of face mask by people is highly recommended in order to keep away from Coronavirus infections. Use of face mask has been made mandatory by the Government of Odisha. As transport facilities are affected to a great extent, availability of mask to the poor tribal people has become a great challenge.

CYSD has been engaged with Children and Youth in  Rayagada district for their holistic development for couple of years. Here, emphasis is being given for youth empowerment through imparting various vocational skill trainings to the unemployed youths and facilitating them job placements or supporting them to start their own enterprise. There are many youths who have received tailoring training, but the lockdown situation has compelled them to stay at home without any productive work.

During the lockdown, when wearing of face mask was announced compulsory, overnight masks were vanished from the local market. A group of 7 young girls, trained earlier on stitching, was encouraged by CYSD field team members to initiate stitching of face masks in bulk during this lockdown period to meet the local demand. Without any hesitation, the group was agreed to start preparing masks. Accordingly, CYSD supported them with raw materials. They stitched double layered masks out of cotton cloth – easy to wash and can be used multiple times at a cheaper rate in comparison to the single coated masks available in the market. Considering the material and labour component the rate of each mask has been fixed at Rs.12/-. Within a week’s time they are able produce around 1500 masks and supplied to the Kolnara Block Administration as well as to other NGOs.

“I was in quest of procuring a few masks for my family use, but could not find a single piece. Thanks to CYSD for igniting my skill and creating an opportunity for us to earn by stitching masks and meeting our own requirements during this lockdown situation”, said Ms. Baijanti Gouda in smiling face.

One of the Community Resource Persons is engaged to extend all logistics support to the group. The young girls belong to Bhujabala and G. Rengalipadu villages of Kolnara GP and Binispur village of Gadiseskhal GP and Dhakraguda village of Kotapeta GP under Kolnara Block of Rayagada district. 

“Taking into account the demands of face masks, we have planned to engage more skilled young girls of other villages in mask production work”, said Mr. Amit Mohapatra, Programme Manager of CYSD.

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Ground Realities

Coronavirus Squeezed Summer Vegetables Marketing in Koraput

The restrictions on transport movements amid the lockdown owing to Coronavirus pandemic have brought misery for vegetable farmers of Koraput district. The vegetable growers are now staring at huge losses due to total failure of the marketing network. Farmers of, Boipariguda, and Dasmantpur have been producing tones of vegetables year the round, especially during Rabi and Summer following Market Synchronised farming method through promotion of Producer Groups under agriculture production cluster programme for last couple of years. Usually, the harvesting and marketing of summer crop activities are carried out in March to May. Every day bumper harvesting of different kind of vegetable is being available with farmers in the district but takers are few this year due to the restrictions on movement of trucks.

Gangadhar Producer Group (PG), a vibrant smallholder women farmers’ collective, is working in Boipariguda block, the operational area of CYSD. “During the initial phase of lockdown, nearly for a fortnight, our members faced huge difficulties in harvesting and selling the summer vegetables. Distress sale of our produces in local market added to our miseries too, said Ms. Sanadei Mali, the President of Gangadhar Producer Group. A total of 90 members are directly engaged in the producer group for the livelihoods of their families. The producer group is being supported by Sabujima Producer Company Ltd in Boipariguda, an apex farmers’ collective of producer groups, on input procurement, establishment of Synchronised production system, including Package of Practice (POP) in vegetable, availing government subsidy scheme and market service.

During lock down, one of the biggest challenges faced by the PG members was selling of their products in market. Looking in to the problem faced by PG members, CYSD initiated dialogue with District administration and its market support agency to sell the product in urban market. CYSD judiciously convinced the district and block administration on the farmer level issues and possible solutions. Block Administration was convinced to provide required entry-pass for members as well as for vehicles to transport the vegetable from farmer’s field to Jeypore market. Both Odisha Rural Development & Marketing Society (ORMAS) and Odisha Livelihoods Mission along with Horticulture Department have been mobilized to provide necessary support on marketing of the vegetables in Jeypore market until the lockdown withdraws.  Horticulture Department and ORMAS immediately supported 20 numbers Caret (Plastic Try) to carry vegetables from farm to market. In the due time, informal assurance was given by OLM and Horticulture Department to reimburse the costs of transportation which are borne by the Producer Company.   The CEO of Sabujima Producer Company also monitoring the activities and providing handhold support to the Group on day-to-day basis.

The PG, with the transport support from the Government sources, have been continuously selling vegetables from second week of April.  On 10 April the group sold 25.80 quintal of vegetables against of Rs. 40,500/- and on 18th April it sold 13.10 quintals at the cost of Rs. 33,000/-. “As of now, within 10 days’ time, our Group has a turnover of Rs. 3,95,475/- against sale of 197.61 quintals of vegetables”, said Mrs. Sanadei.  “After the intervention of CYSD our financial situation is now gradually improving. Without their continuous support and guidance our situation would have been worse. We are really thankful to them”, she added in cheerful face.

Similarly, in Dasamantpur block, Maa Tarini Producer Group have started marketing of their harvested vegetables in Podagada Markets for couple of days with an average income of 7,500/- by selling around 2.70 quintals a day with the support of the Block Administration.

During marketing of vegetables, the group members have been following social distancing by using masks and practicing hand wash frequently for personal hygiene and care.

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Citizens’ Action Group on Corona – Odisha

The Fourm has evolved further during the last week with following clear goals and mandate:

  • Offer help and relief to people affected by the global pandemic, with a focus on the most vulnerable sections of the society.
  • Mediate and facilitate effective implementation of policies and measures aimed at countering the social and economic fallout of COVID 19.
  • Provide real-time feedback on working of policies and State intervention on the ground.
  • Identify and outline immediate policy tweaks, legal remedies and other such state action that are necessary to bridge the gaps being reported.
  • Design a longer term social and economic blueprint for a post-COVID Odisha.
  • Be a credible voice for people, communities and social groups in highlighting the challenges they face and the deprivation they fight.
  • Facilitate participation and inclusion of all stakeholders in making of policy decisions and their implementation.

The issue of stranded migrants has been a major concern of the group for advocacy. Links to the media report- Outlook l The Hindu l Times of India

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Community Mobilization

  • 186 Community volunteers and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) mobilized who have been closely working with the local government (Gram Panchayat) in managing quarantine homes, community kitchen and PDS distribution.

  • In addition, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) including Gaon Kalyan Samiti (GKS) and Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC) have been sensitized towards providing support in organization of community awareness, sanitation drive, identifying vulnerable/left out people, tracking migrants, managing quarantine centers and community kitchens at the Gram Panchayat level in close association with the local government.
  • Awareness programmes organized in 587 communities focusing on social distancing, hand wash practice and Do’s and Don’ts relating to COVID–19.
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Kit Distribution

  • Survival Kit (dry food items) distributed to 4130 tribal households including migrant labourers, landless workers, and NTFP dependent families in Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada & Nabarangpur districts of South Odisha in collaboration with ChildFund India and Ford Foundation.
  • Survival Kit to 1700 most vulnerable slum dwellers and rag pickers under BMC in collaboration with Plan India and Royal Enfield.
  • Distribution of Hygiene Kit (soap, mask and sanitizer) to 3353 households and the students of 17 Ashram schools.
  • Distribution of Learning Kit among 300 children in collaboration with ChildFund India to keep the children engaged in various learning activities during lockdown.
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Citizen Support Centre (CSP)

Virtual Citizen Support Centre (Jana Sahayata Kendra) has been set-up jointly by CYSD, Human Context, Health Bot and Aaina sharing information relating to Covid 19 – precautions and safety measures, access to entitlements and psycho-social counseling to the affected people. People can dial the Toll free Number 8880592592 and access benefits from the centre remaining open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm every day.

As on 19th April, 665 calls landed to the system, out of which 393 were related to different services: 172 were about basic information, 163 were on entitlements, 33 were relating to psycho-social counseling and 25 on virtual care.  However, 272 calls were dropped/missed/wrong option selected by the callers.

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