By Eashaan Kappagantula | Manager - Resource Mobilization
The ongoing Covid crisis in India is probably one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has witnessed in recent memory. The virus is on a rampage, spreading from urban centres to the rural hinterlands, and mutating at its will. Data on new cases and deaths is fuzzy at best, agencies are underprepared and overwhelmed, with oxygen supply and availability of hospital beds still in short supply, and more worryingly, no one can yet put a date on when this desperate situation will finally come to an end.
Over the last couple of months, as the country grappled with the effects of the 2nd wave, there have been 2 glaring shortcomings (of the multitude), that have impacted our fight against the virus – (a) shortage of vaccinations, and inequitable distribution of those available (b) serious deficit in the availability of oxygen concentrators and oxygen cylinders, vital for a patient’s survival.
Needless to say, the effects of the pandemic are being felt the worst by those belonging the lower socio-economic section society, with the 2nd wave of the pandemic spelling doom in the form of loss of employment (just regained after the 1st pandemic swept by), inability to provide for their families, which has translated to abject poverty – with no access to food, or medical aid. Disruptions to society have had a heavy impact on children’s safety, health and wellbeing and their future. The condition is aggravated by children’s lack of access to school, friends, teachers, social workers and the safe space and services that schools provide. Due to the rapid increase of the COVID cases in the country, children from the low-income groups need urgent attention towards their health, mental well-being and safety. Children have been disconnected from the brick and mortar education system hence depriving them of all social connect with friends, teachers and the world at large.
In particular, the children with special needs, our students of the Special Care Centre, are also restricted to the confines of their homes, with many of them reporting a loss of livelihood with respect to their family's sole earner. We welcome your generous support, with the help of which we aim to provide food kits to the families of these children, so that they may sustain themslves and remain healthy, during the pandemic.
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