India COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

Dear Global Givers,

We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your recent contribution to our COVID-19 Emergency Relief Campaign. Your donations enable us to respond to the urgent needs of some of the most marginalised communities that have been deeply impacted by the pandemic. As you are aware, this campaign was initiated at the peak of the pandemic when many families lost their livelihoods and faced extreme hardship and starvation. 

According to Sage Publications, at all India levels, around 150–199 additional million people will become poor due to the COVID-19 crisis, while those who already are poor will be pushed deeper into poverty. India’s resource-poor communities still have a long way to fully recover from rising poverty and widening inequality.

Update on the Campaign

Launched as an emergency fund, the campaign had met its immediate goal of providing ration and oxygen relief to the families at a time when the spread of the infection was rampant. However, the COVID-19 relief fund is now focusing on bringing sustenance to the resource-poor families who have been hard hit by the pandemic during 2020-2022. The sustenance is being ensured through providing educational support to children, skill building of youth, and ensuring training of entrepreneurs and creating market and bank linkages for them. During the reporting period following support was extended to the resource-poor families in Rajasthan, India –

• The 540 families who were provided support earlier to set up their kitchen gardens are taking care of the gardens on their own and consuming nutritious vegetables.
• 20 women during the quarter were supported to secure stitching orders from the market to increase their income.
• 4 goatry units (1 unit comprises 2 goats) provided earlier to resource-poor families have contributed to an increase in income of $10, per family, per month from selling goat’s milk.
• Academically weak students are being provided with additional tuition classes to pass the exams.
• 36 additional girl students have been given scholarships during the period to prevent dropouts and help them continue their education.
• Considering the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, a mental health seminar was conducted for adolescent girls and boys and many of them could speak about the mental health challenges they are facing currently.
• 50 students were enrolled into state-certified computer courses during the period. Upon completion of the course, these students will be able to explore various career opportunities in the IT (Information Technology) sector.

Your generosity and support are an encouraging reminder of how collectively we can make a difference and make this world a kinder place. We look forward to your continued support and solidarity and to helping these communities rebuild their lives.

Thank you again for championing iPartner India’s campaign.
 
With deep gratitude,
Team iPartner India