The COVID 19: Effects on the tribal communities

Posted on by Ayana Mathew

As we are well aware, The COVID 19 has left the whole world suspended on normal life style, livelihood and have turned poor countries into poorer as it has hit very badly the world economy. The tribal communities of Roha, has faced the brunt to its extremes as they are left jobless, hungry, with poor health and above all with no money for anything. The people who were migrated were stranded in their destinations. The pregnant women, the infants and the elderly and others who fell sick remained without receiving the medical assistance as the administration and the hospitals are remained cautioned with the spread of COVID 19.

The COVID 19 relief intervention by Snehavardhini Social Trust, Roha Community: As the COVID 19 hit Mumbai and Raigad we decided to focus on dry ration distribution, catering to the needs of the migrants such as repatriating them, providing them rations, monitoring the quarantine period along with the local government bodies, PDS monitoring, distributing preventive health kits, enhancing livelihood programmes and crisis interventional accompaniments in removing the social stigma. We have reached out not only to tribal communities but also to widows, handicapped, migrants, elderly, daily wage earners irrespective of caste, creed, language or religion.   The following is a summary of the services and sustainable programmes organised by our social centre in Roha, Pen and Mahad Talukas:

Dry Ration kits: Snehavardhini Social Trust distributed 4370 dry ration kits in 47 villages in Roha, Pen and Mahad Taluka which is divided as follows:

  • 2800 kits costing Rs.500/-
  • 250 kits costing Rs.650/-
  • 550 kits costing Rs.725/-
  • 300 kits costing Rs.850/-
  • 460 Kits costing Rs.3250/-

The Kits which priced from Rs.500/- to 850/-contained Rice, 2-3 types of serials, spices, oil, sugar, tea powder, salt, biscuits, onion, potato, soaps, etc which will help the families to survive for 15 days, while the ration kits which costed Rs.3250/- was consisted of Rice, wheat flower,2-3 types of serials, spices, oil, sugar , tea powder, salt, biscuits, onion, potato, soaps, cleaning articles , sanitizers, masks, toiletries etc which could help the family survive for nearly two months. We distributed the same soon after the Nisarga Cyclone as the people were devastated after they lost everything in the cyclone. The total cost of the dry ration which we have distributed is amounted up to Rs. 3,710,750/- in which 1,500,000/-materials were directly given by the network funding agencies, Rs. 1,00,000/- was contributed from the Region of India and Rs.2,110,750/- was raised in cash and kind by the sisters of Snehavardhini in collaboration with other Handmaids, friends and well-wishers.

Repatriating and reuniting the migrants from different states: Snehavardhini Social Trust in Collaboration with the local government administration and people of the villages reunited 284 families who were stranded in other states and in distant parts of Maharashtra. We submitted the application to the Tahsil office and assisted them in bringing people back, provided dry ration for 15 days which was their quarantine period, monitored the health check-up and stay facilities as they had to stay out of their villages.

Health prevention Kits: Snehavardhini Social Trust distributed in collaboration with HPT (health promotion Trust ) 2000 health prevention kits which included hand sanitizers, Soaps and  masks etc to health workers, Primary Health Care centres, Police, Government administrative offices, 10 villages etc . The centre also plans to distribute CELIN, a vitamin C tablets to 300 families in collaboration with Elppe Company PVT LTD.

Livelihood programmes:It is always important to teach people fishing than providing them fish. Snehavardhini Social Trust firmly believes in the sustainable development programs.   In collaboration with ELPPE CHEMICALS PVT LTD

  • We have given 12 types of Vegetables seeds for kitchen garden for 550 families in 28 villages
  • Nachni seeds for 37 families
  • Pea nuts for 43 families
  • Saffron seeds for 14 Self Help Groups(SHGs) and 4 individuals
  •  We are on the process of assisting an SHG which represents 10 families for goat rearing (since the COVID 19 wave have increased in our area the movements are curtailed. We will be giving the same immediately after the COVID waves slow down)
  • Helping the 17 women for Vegetable selling, Dry fish, vada pav small scale business etc
  • Connecting villagers and youth for the daily wage work with various contractors of the industries

Educational materials:The COVID 19 has left the tribals penniless and hence the possibilities of dropping out from the schools are very high for their children as they have no money to buy the educational materials or to pay their fees. The social centre has tirelessly worked to promote the education in the tribal communities. Drop out at this stage will signify, nullifying the efforts of all that is done till now. The centre will be providing all the educational materials for 600 students in 25 villages and will sponsor 20 deserving students for their studies this year.

Mediating to give four batteries for the COVID ward at Roha PHC: As expressed by the doctors of Roha PHC, the centre was a mediator in giving four batteries with the generosity of ELPPE CHEMICALS PVT LTD Roha to the COVID 19 ward at Roha PHC

Advocacy: Snehavardhini Social Trust have taken active part in advocacy in COVID 19 relief works with the local government administration such as collector’s office, Tahsil office, Police, PHCs, Gram panchayath, and with other networking bodies both at local, taluka and district level. We have made an outstanding contribution in collaborative works with regard to forming strategies for the crisis management of COVID 19 with GOs and other NGOs.

Collaboration with Tahsil and District offices for repatriating the Migrants / Monitoring the PDS in the tribal hamlets and for the migrant persons:We have actively collaborated with the government system in order to repatriate the tribal and non-tribal migrants to their own destinations. At the arrival of the migrants back to their villages, we have taken great care in giving food, dry ration for 15 days, monitoring their health system during quarantine period along with the local leaders and PHCs. We had taken an active participation in monitoring the PDS (Public Distribution System) in the tribal hamlets.

Awareness on preventive methods: The centre have given awareness to the tribal communities on preventive measures for COVID 19

Networking: During this process of reaching out to people we have net worked with:

  • A lot of individuals who were very sensitive and generous
  • Region Of India
  • Centre for Social Action Mumbai
  • Health promotion Trust, Mumbai
  • LBSS and United Way Mumbai
  • ELPPE CHEMICALS PVT LTD, Roha
  •  Religious Congregations, Local NGOs, Police, Tahsil office andGOs.

We are happy to join hands with so many people of good will and agencies that reach out in help in order to enhance and secure a society free of COVID 19, to assist the citizens of Raigad to be repatriated to their own land, to provide food security through dry ration and monitoring the PDS system, assist the livelihood programmes for the families and above all to create an atmosphere where all can live with security and dignity. We are grateful to God for giving us this opportunity to be His face goodness and mercy. We thank each and every hand that lends services through us in order to bring down the panic and disastrous situation and preventing people from dying of hunger.  We continue our relief works with the desire of contributing our best to the people who have been entrusted to us.

Snehavardhini Community, Roha.