The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)1 outbreak in the beginning of year 2020 has thrown most countries, including ours, into an unprecedented and massive health and humanitarian crisis.The poorest and the most marginalized will be affected badly as this crisis continues alongwith the lockdown and restriction on movements. There is a need for on the ground support in the areas of humanitarian aid and healthcare. Cohesion works in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, UP and Maharashtra and based on inputs from the ground, the key challenge for both humanitarian and healthcare services in the current context is last-mile connect and delivery on the ground that is both empathetic and efficient. Numerous relief measures have been announced by the central and state governments and the administrative set-up is working round the clock to respond to the situation, but because of the scale, speed of spread and the serious impact of this crisis, many of the district administrations are likely to benefit from additional support. The work of reaching out to communities, assessing their critical needs and delivering the needed materials and services has often been supported by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the past and these are areas in which they can contribute significantly in this crisis. Responding to the current scenario Cohesion has adapted itself to the much in need workstyle of using virtual platform and ensuring that An infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. learning of the team and their service delivery to the affected communities continues amidst lockdown.

Cohesion and HCL Foundation agreed upon to divert Rs 14,91,270 towards COVID -19 Response from project ongoing project “A Wholesome Bachpan” in Gautam Buddha Nagar district where we are working with 20 Anganwadis2. The need for safety of frontline workers was identified along with facilitation of the distribution process jointly by Cohesion and HCL after discussion with DPO, ICDS Noida. Safety kits for 1100 Anganwadi workers and 1100 helpers of Noida. Kit includes Gloves, Sanitizers (200 ml) and N95 Masks. A total of 4600 Gloves, 2500 Sanitizers and 1500 Masks were distributed. Total Budget reallocation of Rs 8,11,210 for meeting the food requirements of communities in need has been done.

In Gujarat Cohesion is responding to COVID relief by sharing information and keeping the communities aware of the government’s updates and relief packages for the poor and marginalised. It is also an active member of Inter Agency Group, which has members from civil society and international agencies. The Group facilitates not only information sharing but also identifies best practices to be adapted by different stakeholders.

Navsari
Follow up and information sharing with community (especially with Sangathan leaders, Youth leaders, Baal Panchayat leaders, SMC, school teachers, ration distributors etc. ) regarding COVID – 19, GR related to ration, MDM, food supply by Anganwadi, Health facilities in villages, MGNREGA, pension, Ujjwala etc. through phone and direct intervention at village level in 42 villages till date.

Monitoring on regular basis about ration distribution especially quality and quality of ration – 5204+ BPL families, 445+ APL-1 families for ration, 6000+ children for MDM in 32 schools and 1300+ widow women for pension scheme and implementation of other policies related to MGNREGA and Jandhan account and Ujjwala scheme in 52 villages.

We have shared list of villages where PVTG families live, and they are more dependent on 2 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Centres daily wages for provide sufficient ration and wages as per the employment rule

Networking with centre for social justice for …

Online training of team and community leaders on government rules and regulations in detail

SMS service – to provide information regarding government rules and regulations through SMS service we shared contact details of around 300 Sangathan members, SMC members, FRC committee members

Mehsana
In Mehsana we work with 22 SHGs from 3 villages. Ration kits were distributed to 550 members of SHGs women's who do not have ration cards and to those women who are very poor.

Medical checkups were facilitated for families who have returned from other areas due to lockdown.

SHG women also made 4000 masks which were distributed to the McCain staff and Police Department and women got income from the same. All three village SHGS leaders, sub leaders and treasurers are regularly informed about the COVID 19 through WhatsApp group.

Regular updates on government benefits and schemes is given to the members which is helping them access benefits and relief packages.

Cohesion promoted kitchen gardens have been a source of fresh vegetables and food security in many cases in the present scenario of lockdown.

Single women Sangathans are monitored and it is ensured that Rs. 2000 are deposited from government in their account. At the same time Cohesion works with 3000 children, it is ensured that the libraries in the resource centres are functional to engage children as the schools are currently shut down because of Covid.

Cohesion is working with the Gharelu Kaamgar Mahila Sangh – registered Collectives of Domestic Workers – in Raipur to continuously assess the situation of women who are domestic workers. This has helped to channelize relief work and guide relief agencies to use the resources for the most vulnerable.

We distributed 100 ration kits with the help of CART supported by Azim Premji Foundation.

We are also planning to provide relief to Transgenders in Durg as they are also one of the worst affected in present scenario.

Learning from work in Mehsana, the Women members of Gharelu Kamgaar Sangh will also be making 15000 masks for the Raipur Municipal Corporation and this will give them income also.

In Pune Cohesion is covering 11 villages for COVID relief with support from John Deere India Private Limited and Mashal. We distributed 880 ration kits to the poor households along with kits for basic hygiene.