EMERGENCY RESPONSE FOR RURAL INDIA

Like Canada and USA, India fears new COVID wave as Omicron infections spread. According to the World Health Organization the spike in omicron infections represent the ‘early stages’ of COVID third wave amid the Delta surge.

Thanks to the compassionate and generous support of many donors who responded to the emergency situation during the crisis of the first two waves, SOPAR has been able to put in place emergency measures that saved the lives of many families directly affected by COVID 19.

SOPAR-Bala Vikasa signed a contribution agreement with Global Affairs Canada for an Emergency Response project to reduce coronavirus (COVID-19) related mortality and morbidity in marginalized rural communities, focusing on women, widows and girls in the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states in India.

In partnership with Bala Vikasa, with the funding from Global Affairs Canada and the contributions of our various donors, the project expects to assist 1,000 rural communities, spread across the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It aims to reach 300,000 direct beneficiaries, and 1.25 million indirect beneficiaries by improving access to COVID-19 prevention and awareness activities.

Project key initiatives include: (1); improving safe environment in rural poor schools with protective, monitoring and hygiene measures (2) providing community level monitoring kits; (3) delivering various COVID-19 awareness messages; and (4) virtual counseling sessions for people affected by COVID-19 and post-COVID complications.
In anticipation of this 3rd wave, measures are currently being taken to support and strengthen the capacity of the local health system, delivering essential health services and providing an awareness program.