Covid-19 & Yaas Relief Service

St. Damien of Molokai Church, Dum Dum

 

 


 
 

 

Supported By

1.      Local donors (Parishioners)

2.      Congregation of the Sacred Hearts

3.      Seva Kendra Calcutta (SKC)

 

 

Implemented By

 

 

St. Damien of Molokai Church, Dum Dum

 

 

Introduction:

Corona viruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome” (SARS). A novel corona virus (COVID-19) was identified in 2019 in Wuhan, China. This is a new corona virus that has not been previously identified in humans. India has been facing the natural calamities number of time in a year. Last year Cyclone called ‘Amphan’ devastated the city of Kolkata. This year again Odisha and West Bengal had to face the wrath of Cyclone called ‘Yaas’. Thousands of people lost their homes and domestic households. The continuous lockdown call by the government has caused incurable impact on the daily laborers.

Good health is indeed the greatest blessing and means of everything. However the prolonged lockdown and Yaas effect has caused poverty in the country is inextricably connected to poor health and the prevalence of various illnesses. St. Damien of Molokai Church, Dum Dum, started free dry ration distribution for the needy families without any discrimination of caste and creed. The sole aim to provide free dry rations to the poor people living in these areas has now become a reality in St. Damien of Molokai Church. 

 

 

Situational Analysis: ( Pre-Relief Work )

During the lockdown many people called me for some help. We saw many had lost their jobs. People were in desperate situation earn their daily bread. As a result we discussed in the community how to help the needy families in our area. There was no other alternative rather than appealing to our own parishioners.

 

 

 

A. Relief work Launch:

Objective: To alleviate hunger and starvation during this pandemic and save life by distributing free dry ration.

 

 

 

·        Need assessment and area selection

Before we begun the distribution we did some assessment, where we decided few criteria for the beneficiaries. Because there are plenty number of families who need help. But our dry ration kits were limited we had to do more assessment to find out the more needy families. 

 

 

·        Area of Distribution

Dum Dum municipality is huge area consist of lots of poor. Knowing our resources we decided to provide the people those who are living around our church as well as our residents.

 

SN

Date

Location

Area/Gram Panchayat/Municipality

Kits Distributed

 ( what items distributed )

Total Beneficiaries

 

1. 29-05-21

2. 05-06-21

3. 12-06-21

St. Mary’s Orphanage and Day School, Dum Dum

 

 

Dum Dum Municipality

1.Rice (900 kgs)

2.Dal (600kgs)

3.Oil (250kgs)

4.Soya (250kgs)

5. Potatoes (550 kgs

6. Salt (150 kgs)

7. Flat rice (100 kgs)

8. Bread (bans)  (550 pieces)

 

Including 3 phases- 150families

 

 

 

C. Relief work Planning and Execution description:

·        Planning & Execution Plan

Initial planning and execution for the distribution of ration was done in our community.

 

·        Procurement , Packing and Loading

Things were purchased from the ration shop in bulk. Then before the distribution things were packed in smaller quantities. 

 

·        Transportation and Travel

In the first two phase of distribution things where purchased from near by shop and brought by small goods carrier. 

 

·        Support Partners and Networking

There were three partners such as: Local donors, Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and Seva Kendra Calcutta (SKC). 

 

·        Challenges

Raising funds to procure materials. 

 

·        Learning

Through this Covid-19 Relief Service we learnt one of the important things is that ‘Networking’ is one of the tools for the success of any program.

 

 

D. Present Situation (where relief work done)

There was little relief for poor families. However, as the lockdown continues the situation of the people does not change more. Still I get phone calls for the help. 

 

E. Acknowledgment

I sincerely thank and would like to acknowledge the Local donors (Parishioners), Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and Seva Kendra Calcutta (SKC), for helping us in this endeavor to reach out to the neediest families of our church members and other members.

 

 

Rev. Fr.Umakant.ss.cc.

St. Damien of Molokai Church

Dum Dum