The lockdown owing to outbreak of Coronavirus has impacted hugely the landless labourers, returnee migrants, physically and mentally challenged, and people who are under most vulnerable situations. Neither are they being allowed to go outside nor getting any job for livelihoods. Meanwhile, CYSD’s intervention has reached to 1030 households in 48 villages of 13 Gram Panchayats in 8 Blocks of 4 resource poor districts, like Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Malkanagiri in South Odisha. CYSD’s response to Corona in terms of addressing the food and nutritional requirements of these risk prone households by providing Survival Kit support has created a sense of acceptance among the people. They feel that they are not alone in this battle, some others are also with them.

A 68 years old women with severe alignment in legs, Tulasa Saunta of Beheraguda village in Lima Panchayat of Kundura block, says “Being an aged lady, I cannot walk far. I am so happy to get rice, sugar, oil, Suji, Dal, etc. as relief items at my home. Now there is no deed of going outside during this lockdown. I will stay at home and spend my time in cooking food for me. My thankfulness to the Relief Team of CYSD for this timely support.

Through initiating around 738 awareness campaign and demonstration progrmmes, CYSD team has spread the message of how to fight Covid-19 and developed better understanding among the people about the impact of the virus in 1128 villages of 5 blocks in Koraput district engaging 34 volunteers and team members. 12005 HHs were got involved in these campaigns and awareness processes. “Spreading right kind of information, our team has now got confidence to combat against fearfulness and the panic situation created among the people because of the pandemic”, says Ramesh Chandra Swain, Team Leader – Livelihoods Programme in Koraput. 

The above programme activities during this lockdown created an opportunity for the team to identify the most vulnerable people/households in each Panchayat and a data base of these households has been submitted to the Panchayat for future reference. More importantly, the households those were left out from getting the government entitlements are being supported by CYSD and connected with government schemes as well. Besides, various community workers, PRI members have appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the Organization including the criteria followed towards beneficiary selection and the support being provided to the poor people in the form of commodities, added Abhisekh Mishra, Coordinator of Livelihood Programme.

The Sarpanch of Goudaguda GP in Laxmipur block said, “I feel proud that I am associated with CYSD and the resource provider, Ford Foundation who have come forward to support my people, especially those who are left out from PDS and Pension scheme because they don’t have Aadhar Card to show. It gives me enormous satisfaction, when I see smile on the faces of people at this difficult hours”.

Ward Member of Tentulipadar village in Narayanpatna Block of Koraput shared, “One destitute old women of our village having no access to PDS or Pension assistance, was living with the kind support of the villagers. Now having this survival kit (dry food) support, she will cook her food and not depend on others during this lockdown period”.

 

Danari Jani one of the mentally retarded women of Dahiguda village in Mujanga GP under Dasmantpur Block of Koraput District was supported with survival kit. People of the village saido, she has been left out from all Govt. programmes because of having no documents to show her identification proof. Her only son who had been migrated to other State got stuck due to lock down. This survival kit will help her to surpass the hardship in the absence of her son.

The people’s response to CYSD’s support and their acceptance to the Team have indeed offered immense strength and morale boost to carry forward the organisation’s mission during this lockdown and beyond.