Empower Women Farmers in India

Dear Friend,

I hope this update finds you and your loved ones in good health.

Together, we are facing a truly unprecedented situation. The global coronavirus pandemic is affecting all of our families, our businesses, our communities, and our way of life. The Covid-19 pandemic is a two-pronged health and economic crisis, and requires a two-pronged response.

India has crossed the sobering statistic of one lakh deaths caused by the novel coronavirus and the ongoing pandemic.

From the start of the Covid-19 lockdown in India, Seva Mandir began relief efforts to support families who were most in need in Udaipur and Rajsamand districts. 

We provided more than 50,000 relief kits (for food, sanitation, storing grain, sanitary pads, and personal protection) along with supporting the regional government to distribute an additional 38,000 relief kits. Our awareness campaign was able to spread correct information and advice related to the pandemic, reaching more than 160,000 people. 

The distribution of relief kits and awareness materials helped families through the initial stages of the crisis. The rapid support provided by individuals, institutions, foundations and corporates was instrumental to the success of our relief efforts. 

In our last report, we shared with you the steps which Seva Mandir had taken for the safety and security of the people living in its rural areas. But now the scenario has completely changed, people now are aware about Covid-19 and they also know the ways to keep themselves safe and protected from this virus.

As the initial brunt of the crisis is over and the lockdown is slowly lifted, Seva Mandir’s focus is now on developing and implementing long-term relief for communities and individuals through livelihood interventions.

The economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown are now becoming clear. Migrant labourers have returned back to their villages and are now out of work and putting extra pressure on the meagre resources of their households.

To mitigate the economic effects of Covid-19, Seva Mandir is rapidly expanding its comprehensive livelihood support to ensure families and communities have the tools, knowledge and ability to continue to improve their lives.

Seva Mandir is building the capacity of individuals, families and communities to adapt to the new normal and continue in leading their own development.

We are deeply grateful for your overwhelming support and messages of encouragement.

We are committed to continuing to serve the communities we work with, and we know you will be too. The world will come out stronger after we beat the coronavirus.

Thank you, and sending our best wishes for yours and your family and friends safety.

Regards

Atul Lekhra and the Seva Mandir team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir  

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website
• Seva Mandir's Facebook Page

Namaste,

Trust you and your loved ones are keeping well in these challenging times of COVID-19. The pandemic of Covid-19 has presented significant challenges to rural farmers and has highlighted their vulnerability in times of crisis.

84% of the population Seva Mandir works with are subsistence farmers who struggle to make a living from their small landholdings. These farmers’ incomes had already been under pressure in recent years, due to low commodity prices, but a good monsoon season last year had given hope to the region that they could increase their production and sell more in the markets. Then Covid-19 arrived and the situation worsened exponentially. Farmers are not able to access markets easily, and a ban on transport restricts their movements to larger villages and towns.

Seva Mandir’s role during this time became very important for these farmers and their families.

Seva Mandir has experience of more than 50 years of working with communities to transform and improve their lives – and that is no different now. Even during this pandemic, we remain committed to working with communities and helping them escape poverty.

We are distributing food kits (consisting of onions, potatoes, grains, rice, oil, spices, and salt) and sanitation kits (comprising of soap and detergent), both enough to last a family of 5 for 2 weeks. Importantly, we are also providing farmers with grain-storage kits and tarpaulins to increase the amount of food they can store – essential as the harvesting season approaches.

Until now, we have reached 45,400 families- distributing 33,300 sanitation kits, 3,200 food kits, 4,200 grain-storage kits and 4,700 safety kits. Over INR 6 million (USD 80,000) has been spent in providing relief. We are also aiding the government in their relief efforts.

These food and hygiene kits are a lifeline to these farmers during this time of crisis.

Meera from one of our village area says- ‘My situation was already so bad but then the relief kits came from Seva Mandir, and suddenly I felt like my own family is here to help.’

Another farmer from Kotra block says- ‘We are getting useful information from Seva Mandir on how to use this time for learning better farming practices.’

We deeply thank you for your valuable contribution. That has aided the families and communities to survive through this period of crisis till here.

We all know that the challenge is yet to be over, and the difficult times are ahead of us. Seva Mandir is unabated in its determination to continue working with its communities to find solutions for dignified lives and livelihoods. You can be part of this effort whether it is by donating directly to Seva Mandir, by spreading the word of Seva Mandir to people you know, or just by sending us your messages of support.

You can give your support to our Covid-19 project by clicking here. You can keep up to date with our efforts on our dedicated Covid-19 page on our website click here to access it.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support. Please stay healthy and keep social distancing.

Regards

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir 

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website
• Seva Mandir's Facebook Page