Responding to COVID-19 for the Most Vulnerable in Patna

Door to door distribution of essentials

Engaging with communities on the periphery has made us acutely aware of their everyday realities, including their joys and struggles.

In March 2020, when the lockdown was announced without prior preparation, we were unprepared to face this new normal. This impact was felt not only by us but also by the peripheral communities.

The initial step was to apply for vehicular passes, which we easily acquired due to our strong rapport with the Commissioner of the Patna Municipal Corporation. Rajesh, Ranjeet, and Rambabu visited the settlements to gather first-hand information on how people were coping with the situation.

In some settlements, residents had formed watch guard teams to prevent outsiders from entering. They also shared their resources with those who had none, a gesture that warmed our hearts but also highlighted the need for intervention.

Distribution in BPSC area in April 2020

We approached agencies for support and decided to provide each family with 5 kilograms of rice, 5 kilograms of atta (flour), 2 kilograms of dal (lentils), sattu, salt, 250 liters of cooking oil, biscuits, soya nutrela, and assembled kits. Rajesh leveraged his good relationships with wholesale shopkeepers to procure food grains in bulk, which were transported at night.

Rambabu, who resided in the office, was responsible for unloading the grains.

Next, we contacted additional members to assist in making packets. The work commenced in earnest, with members arriving early in the morning to prepare kits.

Once a sufficient number of kits were ready, distribution began—some door-to-door, while others, such as vendors and construction workers, were called to our office due to space constraints.

Bhootnath 19 April 2020

On April 24th, 2020, rations were distributed at Bhoothnath and TV Tower settlement to communities struggling for food. The team members involved in the distribution were Dorothy, Tanuja, and Rambabu. Door-to-door distribution was conducted among families that Aashray Abhiyan has been working with for the past two decades.

Additionally, we operate a learning centre where we provide children with an introduction to education, encouraging them to pursue further studies and take their rightful place in society.

Distribution efforts in April 2020:

·        Behind BPSC office: April 18

·        Mukdumpur: April 18

·        Navkottia: April 18

·        Gardanibagh – Road no. 11; Road no. 16: April 18

·        Bhoothnath: April 19

·        Gaighat: April 24

·        TV Tower: April 24