Support in the Time of Covid and Amphan

At a time when the world was reeling under the effects of the lockdown because of COVID 19, West Bengal, in India was struck by the blow of Amphan. The tribal families of Ghoshpur Adibasipara in Chhatra Gram Panchayat of Baduria Block and families of the children in the Slums of Kamarhati Municipal Area – both under INSPIRATION’s project areas were facing their share of trials. Many families depending on daily wage engagements faced the perils as one or more of their family members were immediately out of work – and the national disaster in the form of Amphan now added to their woes. 

INSPIRATION did not give up on working, connecting, multi-tasking and performing the set of activities aimed at well being and social protection. Community interaction continued like it was before this situation arose. The need to practice handwashing, maintain a “social distance” was largely emphasized. All contact with the community was established over the telephone. While doing this, lack of adequate nutrition intake was observed which soon began to show, particularly in children, the aged, the unwell population, adolescent and would-be mothers. INSPIRATION made sure that all the families in the Adibasipara and Kamarhati were receiving all the benefits as per their appropriate entitlements. Yet the dearth of liquid cash made it difficult to procure anything to supplement the cereal intake and maintain hygiene particularly to secure them from COVID-19.

The need and the expectation were assessed; INSPIRATION stepped in at this point and decided to support each family with a food basket. About 130 families in Ghoshpur Adibasipara and 87 families in Kamarhati were supported with the nutrition and hygiene basket from INSPIRATION.