NGOs, philanthropists mobilise large-scale relief efforts in Amritsar

Tribune news service

Amritsar, April 2

To overcome the urgent requirements of essential food items for the most vulnerable and poor families of the city, affected by the sudden outbreak of pandemic and lockdown, distribution of food and other relief material to the needy is being carried out now on a large scale in city as several NGOs and corporates have come forward with funds and resources. The Punjab Rice Exports Association and FICCI Flo have already handed over 4,000 food ration packets to the district administration for distribution in several parts of the city and in the suburbs. Packets containing atta (5 kg), rice (2 kg), dal (2 kg) and a salt packet were distributed.

“Members of both organisations are daily getting frantic calls from the outskirts of the city for immediate relief. We have reached out to stranded students from Manipur, north-east, migrant labour and slum dwellers who are in desperate need for food,” said Aarushi Verma, chairperson, FICCI FLO. She added that philanthropists from Delhi too are contributing to relief efforts.

Brij Kakar, another good Samaritan from Delhi, has donated urgent medical supplies including 10,000 surgical masks, over 100 N95 masks, 500 bottles of hand sanitisers and vital personal protective equipment for doctors worth over Rs 3.5 lakh. The entire consignment was handed over to the president, Indian Medical Association, Dr RS Sethi, who gave it to the Principal of Government Medical College and to doctors of civil hospitals. Advance India Project, another NGO, has adopted 16 families of the daily wagers working different odd jobs at Celebration Mall. As malls have been shut since lockdown was announced, the families have lost their income and are getting relief material through voluntary efforts.

Voice of Amritsar, a non-profit and one of the first organisations to begin with relief work in the city, has been distributing ration to 100 families since March 27, covering the most vulnerable population. The district administration too is distributing 1,000 food kits including dry ration (10 kg flour, rice, sugar, tea, butter, etc) to needy families.

The administration has roped in voluntary services of Radha Swami Satsang Beas, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Youth Clubs of various villages to reach out the needy families. The district control room is serving as a call centre with distress calls being received for food supplies. Each sub-SS Division related SDM, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, BD/ IPO has been directed to stay alert and make sure relief material reaches every needy household.

Contributing to the District Red Cross Society, the Madad Charitable Foundation has been providing 1,500 packets of meals daily to the Police Lines staff who have been working on ground and food kits to the villages where daily wagers need help. They have also providing them hand sanitisers and gloves.

“We have set up teams of volunteers for each campaign to deliver food kits and packed meals. Also, we are identifying and helping to take care of senior citizens in need with food, medicines and healthcare. We aim to provide over 50,000 cooked meals to the police personnel on ground,” informed Suneet Kocchar, Director, Khanna Papers and Managing Trustee, Madad Charitable Foundation.