COVID-19: How Can I Help My Fellow Indians?

The threat of coronavirus has pushed us into an unprecedented crisis. The national lockdown, while well-intentioned, has also disrupted lives and snatched livelihoods. Millions of men, women, and children have to go without meals. Even social distancing is a luxury for people cramped in unhygienic tenements without a regular supply of water or electricity. It is distressing that even from here, families of migrant workers are being evicted. Their safety and wellbeing are crucial in our fight against coronavirus.

Common Cause is reaching out to civil society organisations which are working hard to mitigate their suffering by distributing food and essential supplies in a fair and dignified manner. If you want to help with money, supplies or services, we have compiled a short list of organisations whose work we have seen and admired for years.

  • Aajeevika Bureau

Aajeevika Bureau is a non-profit organisation working to enhance the dignity and well-being of migrant worker communities in the informal economy. It works across the western Indian migration corridor of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra but has networks across India.

Since the lockdown came into force, millions of migrant workers were left without jobs and in the absence of transport, many of them decided to walk back home hundreds of kilometers away. Their fundraiser, COVID-19 Relief and Post Pandemic Rebuilding of Migrant Lives is providing ration and supplies to thousands of workers across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Surat, etc. and is a step towards addressing the issues of migrants who ended up jobless and homeless owing to the pandemic.

For further details, you can contact Aajeevika Bureau at - +91 9833006663,+91 9558557923, 1800 1800 999

Link: http://www.aajeevika.org/ 

For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/AajeevikaBureau 

Donation Portal for COVID-19 https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/covid-19-relief-and-post-pandemic-rebuilding-of-migrant-lives?payment=form

 

  • Aman Biradari

Aman Biradari is a people’s campaign that aspires to build local-level institutions mainly of youth and women for a secular, peaceful, just and humane world.

Link: https://amanbiradari.org/ 

For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/amanbiradari 

 

  • Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan

Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyaan (DRRAA) is a network of individuals and organisations in Delhi, has been working towards mobilising communities and engaging with governments to ensure the right to food for all.

Alongside responding to SOS food requirements during the lockdown, DRRAA is also advocating with the government to put in place measures to ensure access to food and engaged in monitoring the implementation of government programmes on the ground.

DRRAA monitored the distribution of rations during the lockdown by conducting a survey of the shops located in Munirka, Narela, Vijay Enclave, Adchini, Shahpur Jat, and other areas. Based on their findings, Delhi Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan wrote a letter to the Chief Minister of Delhi after a week of lockdown, stating the struggles of the residents. The food-grain distribution for all Antyodaya and priority cardholders has not reached lakhs of people due to exclusion errors and limited quotas and they are not able to meet their basic needs of food and shelter.

To contribute towards responding to SOS food requirements or to get involved in monitoring the ration shops/schools in your area, send an email with your name and phone number to delhirtf@gmail.com

For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/rozi_roti & https://twitter.com/sinhadipa 

 

  • Safe in India

Safe in India (SII) is focussed on helping injured workers obtain better ESIC healthcare and compensation in the automobile industry. In light of the pandemic, Safe in India is re-purposing and retooling for the next few months. Jointly with the Manzil Welfare Society, SII plans to assist the needy workers and constructively influence COVID-19 relief policies and implementation, among other things. 

They are planning to deliver food (rations/cooked meals), hygiene kits, transport (once allowed), etc. in the neediest mainly in the worker colonies in Aliyar, Basgaon, Bhangrola, Kakrola, Kasan, Khoh, Manesar, Naharpur, Nawada, Dhana, Basai- Kadipur, Gurugram- Sirhaul, Khandsa, Bawal, Binola, and Dharuhera.

Link: https://www.safeinindia.org/ & http://www.manzil.in/ 

For latest updates, check https://www.safeinindia.org/blog 

Donation Portals for COVID-19 

Indian passport holders who can pay from Rupee accounts/cards, visit www.safeinindia.org/donate 

Foreign passport holders and those wishing to pay in foreign currency, please donate to Safe in India’s partner in this initiative, Manzil, also founded by an IIMA-91 alumnus, visit https://manzil.funraise.org/ 

  • Goonj

    Goonj works with communities in 23 states across urban and rural India to address crucial gaps in rural infrastructure, water, environment, livelihood, education, health, disaster relief, and rehabilitation. Through their project Rahat COVID-19, Goonj is also working towards long-term rehabilitation of daily wage earners, who are likely to be unemployed for an unforeseen period of time due to the pandemic. They will utilise donations for preparing kits with essentials such as dry rations and personal care products for millions of migrant population as well as address the impact on family income, healthcare, debt, and education.

    Link: https://goonj.org/

    For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/goonj 

Donation Portals for COVID-19 https://goonj.org/support-covid-19-affected/

  • Lahar Foundation

Lahar Foundation is a non-profit organisation registered under the Indian Trust Act 1882, working on environmental, community development and human rights. During this pandemic, Lahar Foundation is working in slum areas in Delhi such as Navjeevan Camp (more than 7000 people with around 15% migrant population), Nehru Camp (more than 5000 people with around 15% migrant population) and Bhoomiheem Camp (more than 6000 people with around 10% migrant population). They are distributing Meals (twice a day), Sanitary Pads, Masks, Soap, Sanitizers and other essentials to the needy on a daily basis.

Lahar Foundation is accepting the contribution of raw materials like food grains, provisions, sanitary goods, etc. If you can't mobilize these items and wish to help then you may donate funds. You can donate to:

Name - Lahar Foundation

Account number – 2020101021475, Canara Bank

IFSC CODE - CNRB0002020

Account Type: Savings

Remarks: COVID

All donations are eligible for tax rebate 80G/12A. Please reach out to us on the following numbers for any queries.

For further details, you can contact Lahar Foundation at - +919716862898,+91 9538861870

Link: http://laharfoundation.org/ 

For latest updates, check https://www.instagram.com/lahar_foundation/  

 

  • YUVA (Youth for Voluntary and Voluntary Action)

YUVA (Youth for Voluntary and Voluntary Action) is a voluntary development organisation supporting and empowering the oppressed and marginalised by primarily concentrating on their human rights. They are currently operating in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, and New Delhi.

YUVA has launched a campaign, ‘Together We Can’, to raise funds and support in the form of food grains and emergency relief to the urban poor by providing a basic food kit in quantities meant for a week’s worth of ration per package.

To support the campaign monetarily, please follow the following steps:

Step 1 - As an Indian national you can donate to:

Payee Name: Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) FCRA

Bank: Axis Bank Savings Account

Branch: Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra

Account no.: 911010054680968

IFSC code: UTIB0000489

Step 2 - Send a screenshot of the payment you have made through WhatsApp on +91 9830795695 or +91 9167723237. You can also send a Direct Message (DM) to their social media handles on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. This will allow them to confirm and send an acknowledgment receipt.

Step 3 - On receiving confirmation you shall be sent a separate donor form to fill as YUVA needs some basic mandatory details to remain transparent in their financial reporting.

Link: https://yuvaindia.org/

For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/OfficialYUVA  

Donation Portal for COVID-19 

https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-youth-for-unity-and-voluntary-action?utm_source=shorturl 

https://www.ketto.org/campaign/campaign_details.php?fmd_id=173718

 

  • Akshaya Patra Foundation

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a non-profit organisation that acts as an implementing partner of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, operating in partnership with the Government of India, the State Governments and associated organisations. Today, Akshaya Patra is the world’s largest (not-for-profit run) Mid-Day Meal Programme, serving food on every school day to over 1.8 million children from 19,039 schools across 12 states & 2 Union territories of India.

Akshaya Patra Foundation is providing COVID-19 relief services by providing healthy, cooked meals and dry ration kits to thousands of people, including daily-wage labourers, old age homes, etc. by co-ordinating with various State Governments & District Administration across the country. They have prepared 18,91,549 meals and distributed 39,339 grocery kits.

Link: https://akshayapatra.org/ 

For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/AkshayaPatra   

Donation Portal for COVID-19 https://www.akshayapatra.org/covid-relief-services 

 

  • SAFA

It is a social venture with the belief that the socio-economic empowerment of women begins with income generation and education.  To tackle the spread of COVID-19, SAFA has partnered with Razorpay to donate COVID-19 kits to daily wagers, migrants and street workers amongst others.

Distributions are being carried out in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and North Karnataka. The provision packages include wheat, rice, pulses, onion, oil, sugar, salt, spices, soaps, detergents, and basic medicines. 

Link: http://safaindia.org/ 

Donation Portal for COVID-19 https://pages.razorpay.com/Covid19Relief 

 

  • Hasiru Dala

Hasiru Dala (the “Green Force”) is a social impact organisation that focuses on justice for waste pickers through interventions co-created with the waste pickers, in the areas of identity rights, access to family education, healthcare, housing, skill development, market and employment access, and multi-tier policy advocacy.

They have identified 2500 waste picker’s families (with no BPL/ration card, public housing, no predictable income) in 6 cities/towns across Karnataka in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. You can donate to

Name on Account: Hasiru Dala

Savings Account #: 64132965349

Bank: State Bank of India, Cauvery Bhavan Branch, Bengaluru

IFSC: SBIN0003182

Please email to covid19carekit@hasirudala.in your name, PAN # and amount contributed to send your 80G receipt.

Link: http://hasirudala.in/ 

For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/Hasiru_Dala

Donation Portal for COVID-19 https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/HasiruDalaforCorona 

 

 

  • Helpage India

Helpage India is one of the oldest, leading charity in India working with and for the disadvantaged elderly. Senior citizens have been the worst hit, as they are the most vulnerable especially those above 80 years of age, who are at a high risk of succumbing to COVID-19.

Helpage India has acquired permissions to prepare and distribute Family Survival Kits (Basic ration like Rice, Wheat, Spices, cooking oil, etc. along with protective gear like masks, bathing and washing soaps, for disadvantaged elders and their family of 5), Protective Hygiene Kits (Sanitizers, Mask, Tissues, Handwash, etc. for elders) and free meals to the homeless in night shelters, on roads, elders in old age homes, slums and migrant daily wage labours.

Link: https://www.helpageindia.org/ 

For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/helpageindia_ 

Donation Portal for COVID-19 https://www.helpageindia.org/covid-19/

 

National Network of Sex Workers

The National Network of Sex Workers (NNSW) is a national network of sex worker-led organisations and allies committed to promoting the Rights of Sex Workers in India. With strength of 50,000 members, it is the only national network that brings together female, transgender, and male sex workers with NGOs and sex work(er) rights activists.

National Network of Sex Workers is helping provide food to families of sex workers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Jharkhand. 

You can donate at

Account holder: SAHELI HIV/AIDS KARYAKARTA SANGH

Bank: BANK OF INDIA

Branch: PUNE CITY

Account no: 050610100006972

IFSC: BKID0000506

Link: http://nnswindia.org/ 

For latest updates, check 

https://twitter.com/nnswindia

https://www.nswp.org/page/covid-19

 

  • Samabhabona (Baishamya Durikaran Samiti)

Samabhabona (Baishamya Durikaran Samiti) is a registered trans-led organisation working with trans rights since 2013.

Due to lockdown, the transgender community can no longer go out to earn and they are in need of basic food necessities and essentials. Samabhabona is joining hands with Moitrisanjog Society, ASRAI, and Dinajpur Notun Alo Society to assist the transgender community in Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, Railway line from Sealdah to Budge Budge, Baruipur, Coochbehar, Alipur Duar, Islampur, Dinajpur and adjoining areas of North and East parts of West Bengal.

Link: https://bdssamabhabona.org/

Donation Portal for COVID-19

https://www.ourdemocracy.in/Campaign/WestBengalTransCommunity

  • Animal Matters To Me

Animal Matters To Me (AMTM) is an NGO that helps the streets dogs and cats who had no-one else to care for them. AMTM was created to provide a humane and sustainable solution to managing the stray population and to address their medical needs.

This COVID-19, they are seeking help to feed the stray animals. After a directive issued by Maneka Gandhi that the stray animals can be fed, AMTM has made a strategic plan to feed the animals. They have also started ‘Feed a stray movement’. They’ll conduct drives throughout Mumbai and help strays in need of food, water, and healthcare.

Link: https://www.amtmindia.org/ 

For latest updates, check https://twitter.com/amtmindia 

Donation Portal for COVID-19 

https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/amtmforcovid19relief

https://www.impactguru.com/fundraiser/help-amtm 

https://www.amtmindia.org/donate/ 

 

  • Earthlings Trust

From treating dogs with severe mange to treating bad maggot wounds, from getting critical surgeries done to vaccinating and spaying dogs in and around the shelter, Earthlings Trust has successfully treated and released over 175 dogs, apart from being a permanent home to 50+ dogs.

In the wake of this pandemic, stray animals are facing not only scarcity of food but also a lack of medical attention and rehabilitation. Earthlings Trust is aiming to take care of important surgeries, quarterly medical supplies (tablets, injections, vaccines, specialized medicines for special needs dogs, drips, etc.) and their pathology needs.

To support them, you can donate at:

Account name: Earthlings Trust, Yes Bank

Account number: 700701707069586

IFSC code: YESB0CMSNOC

For UPI Transaction: supportearthling1@yesbankltd

For latest updates, check https://www.facebook.com/earthlingstrustindia/

Donation Portal for COVID-19 https://www.impactguru.com/fundraiser/help-earthlings-trust 

Apart from these organisations, the government of India has also launched the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in India. PM CARES Fund enables micro-donations (by accepting donations for amount as less as Rs. 10), provides tax exemption and falls under Corporate Social Responsibility.

Disclaimer: Several other organisations, as well as the Central and State governments, are also providing relief to the people across India. Common Cause stands with all such initiatives. We urge you to kindly conduct your due diligence on the listed organizations before making a contribution to understand their mission and values.