Surviving the wave with food rations

Satyabhama Giri and her husband supported their children and parents by fishing. They caught fish from the nearby river and sold their goods in the local market to earn their livelihood.

Unfortunately, both of them were infected with the coronavirus during the deadly second wave in India, and they faced significant challenges in meeting their basic needs due to their lack of income.

As per the advice of doctors, her husband was kept in a government COVID-19 care centre for 14 days and she was in home quarantine for 21 days and taking medicines. Thankfully, both Satyabhama and her husband recovered, but were unable to continue fishing due to ongoing post-COVID-19 symptoms such as weakness, lack of energy, and joint pain.

Prafulla Dalei’s story is different, yet the same. Prafulla lives with his wife and three children in a small village. He has a disability, and makes a small income tending a farm, although the earnings from agriculture are not sufficient to support his family.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in India, his financial condition worsened due to lockdowns. Over time he found it increasingly difficult to meet his family’s basic needs as the sole breadwinner for the family.

Through the Humanitarian Coalition, with the support of generous donors across Canada, Plan International responded swiftly to provide critical relief to those impacted by COVID-19 in India through emergency food assistance.

As food intake differs from family to family, and between girls, boys, women, and men, Plan International consulted with affected people to ensure that the communities participating in its activities received the items they needed. The quantity proposed was based on the local eating habits and corresponding nutritional values. The dry ration kits consist of food items that are energy dense, high protein, and that are also culturally acceptable.

For Prafulla, Satyabhama and their families, the help couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I cannot express my happiness in words for this great support of Plan India during the pandemic situation,” Prafulla said through tears of gratitude. “Thanks, from my core of heart.”