Support Abused Women 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.

Incidences and reports of violence against women within the household have also risen. This points to male psychological distress due to short-term loss of work and earnings, and subsequent violent behaviour and/or confinement at home with abusive partners during lockdown.

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,

We hope that you, your family and loved ones are safe and in good health.

Covid-19 has spread widely across India and the wide-ranging consequences of the pandemic and the lockdown have started to emerge. Our working area of Udaipur and Rajsamand districts have seen a rise in the positive cases and are now amongst the most severely affected regions in Rajasthan.
 
During this period, we have increased our relief efforts to support families living in villages and urban slums of Udaipur and Rajsamand districts. Until now, we have provided more than 41,000 relief kits for sanitation, food, storing grain and personal protection. Our comprehensive awareness campaign on Covid-19 has focused on the symptoms of Covid-19, how to protect those most at risk, quarantine methods, and more. Additionally, we are also coordinating with the government to support their own relief efforts. Until now, over INR 6 million (approx. USD 80,000) has been spent in providing relief. We are regularly sharing updates of our relief efforts on our dedicated Covid-19 page on our website which you can find here.

During the lockdown, the staff in the Shelter Home have been working unabated, ensuring the all the women and children currently residing there have all the support and supplies that they need. Our team have been giving motivational talks and sessions every day, along with regular yoga and meditation classes to help the women and children’s mental and physical health stay strong. 

Some of the women in the Shelter Home were working in the city in various jobs, helping them to earn a small income. However, due to the lockdown these businesses had to close, leaving the women without any work. In response, these women began helping with Seva Mandir’s relief efforts, packing the food and sanitation kits that would be sent to families most in need.

Just before the lockdown began, the Shelter Home received a call from the police; a woman was in distress and needed immediate shelter. When she arrived at the Shelter Home, the staff were informed that she had travelled by train all the way from Lucknow, a city in Uttar Pradesh, more than 1,200 km from Udaipur. She told staff that she has depression and a couple of days ago, she found herself jumping on the first train she could find at Lucknow’s train station.

At her request, she was put in touch with her family in Uttar Pradesh. Her husband and children were over the moon to know that she was safe. They were extremely worried about her and had no idea where she had gone. They wanted her to return immediately, but unfortunately, no travelling was allowed due to the lockdown. Her family were assured that she was in safe hands and regular contact is being maintained.

We are deeply grateful for your support of the Shelter Home. Thanks to you, we are able to provide women from all backgrounds with a safe space to live.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support of Seva Mandir. Please stay healthy and safe.

Regards

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir

Links:

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