More NGOs join COVID fight, reach out to diffabled, poor

However, rising to the challenge, more and more NGOs in the city are coming forward to lend a helping hand to these individuals.

In the case of Sabki Rasoi, an online initiative by the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), their team of volunteers has so far provided 15,720 meals to homeless and poor across the city. The initiative hopes to provide 15 lakh fresh meals across the country up to April 14.

With a kitchen set up in Vadapalani, hot meals are prepared twice a day and distributed to shelter homes and homeless people across the city. The initiative, which was kickstarted on April 5, is also operational in Coimbatore and is working hand-in-hand with various NGOs and companies like Swiggy to identify vulnerable communities and deliver meals accordingly.

Meanwhile, with groceries and other essential goods still out of reach for many, a local NGO, Ungalukagha Charitable Trust distributed 12 kinds of vegetables and fruits to over 5,000 families in T Nagar and Teynampet areas. Vegetables like tomatoes, onions, drumstick and fruits like bananas were provided at the doorstep of identified families by volunteers from the organisation two days ago.

“The government is doing its best to provide other essentials like rice and pulses for the people. We decided to supplement their efforts with whatever aid we can provide, said Dr Suneel, founder of the trust. “We issued the families tokens to identify them and collected bags from them so that we could deliver the produce and keep the contact to a minimum.” The NGO Habitat for Humanity is currently accepting donations via crowdfunding to provide hygiene kits for the poor and disabled families.

Kits contain hand wash, floor disinfectant, soaps, and masks among other items, and include basic dry rations as well. These kits will be distributed by trained professionals to prevent the spread of the virus.