The coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the states of Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana, where the Usthi projects are located. All three states are under lockdown since early May until the beginning of June. A prolongation seems likely given the continuing precarious situation. India faces a shortage of vaccines, hospital beds and medical supplies throughout the country. Due to the lockdown, lack of work and also deaths in the families, people are barely able to buy food. It is a struggle for survival.

All Usthi schools, Tutoring Centres and the Back-to-School Programme had to close. Fortunately, school children are currently in their summer holidays. We expect that classes will resume via distance learning in June. All exams were cancelled by the authorities and students have been promoted to the next level based on their results in the pre-exams. Employees of our partner organizations and schools are doing well and some also vaccinated.

The Women’s and Children’s Homes remain open and offer a safe environment during these uncertain times. Currently available spots in the Women’s Shelters are planned to be filled in June in order to accommodate as many women as possible. Many children have lost their parents during the pandemic. We are currently in discussion with our very engaged partner organization to provide a home and solid education to covid-19 orphans.

The first professional training block course of the year could be completed prior to the second covid-19 wave. Unfortunately, the summer crash courses had to be cancelled. Many women have lost their husbands due to the pandemic and thereby the family’s main breadwinner. Together with our local partner we plan to provide to 30 of these women a professional skills training and empower them to be financial independent and take care of their families.

Many young people have also lost their parents and face great challenges. These young women and men shall soon be offered a safe home and a three-month professional training. In this way we aim at protecting them from human trafficking and providing them with a perspective for a financial independent future.

Also from the tribal area in Somagiri a number of corona infections have been reported. The government has responded by setting up quarantine centres. The Usthi health workers support authorities by identifying and helping people with symptoms. However, the Tribal Health Centres lacks vaccines and medical supplies. Most of the health workers could already be vaccinated.

The Health and Education Project (HEP) is closed until June 1 and the social workers are currently not allowed to visit the children at home. We hope that the day-care centres will reopened soon so that children’s development can be best supported.

The situation in Nepal has deteriorated drastically during the past weeks. The lockdown, which is in place since three weeks, has been extended to almost the entire country. Throughout Nepal health centres are running short of vaccines, medical supplies and beds for patients. Many day laborers have lost their jobs and a major hunger crisis is also looming. All project activities have been paused since two weeks. Our partner organization is in close contact with schools and families and evaluating what kind of support would be most needed. Schools are also preparing for alternative teaching methods such as online classes. However, in some cases the infrastructure for this is lacking and we are planning to provide support.

We continue to appeal for support for the people in India and Nepal. Thank you very much for the great solidarity you have already shown!

Numerous private donations and a grant of CHF 20,000 from the lottery fund of the Canton of St. Gallen make it possible to distribute more food parcels in India. In order to be able to provide additional urgently needed aid in India and Nepal, Usthi is raising the donation goal for the Covid Emergency Relief.

For a few days now, new infections with the coronavirus in India have been declining. However, the developments are not yet sufficient for an optimistic prognosis. Experts assume that the number of unreported cases is high, both in terms of infections and deaths. Besides India, Nepal is now increasingly affected by a second wave. A scenario like the one in India could be imminent.

To support people who have lost their livelihoods, Usthi launched a fundraising campaign at the end of April to support local partners in their emergency relief activities. Numerous donations from private supporters have already enabled food distribution in Hyderabad over the last few weeks.

With a commitment for a contribution of CHF 20,000 from the Lotteriefonds of the Canton of St. Gallen, the initial donation goal of CHF 53,000 has almost been reached. Usthi is currently in contact with its partners in India and Nepal to explore the possibilities for further distribution activities. Usthi is therefore increasing the donation target for Corona’s emergency relief in India and Nepal to CHF 67,000. Meeting this target would allow another 1,000 food parcels to be distributed.

Furthermore, Usthi is committed to improving access to protection for people who cannot afford a vaccination against Covid. As part of these efforts, local employees of Usthi projects are also supported in accessing vaccination in order to secure the operation of long-term Usthi projects. This is the key to ensuring Usthi’s commitment to education, health and protection from trafficking and violence.

Usthi would like to express its sincere thanks for the great solidarity of its donors and the trust of the Canton of St. Gallen. Without this great support, our urgently needed help on the ground would not be possible.

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Usthi is very grateful for the great solidarity with the hard-hit people in India. A large number of donations for the covid emergency relief have already made it possible to distribute 300 more food packages in the last few days.

At the end of April, the Usthi Foundation again launched an emergency aid campaign to support the people in the current Corona crisis in India. In the last few days, Usthi has been receiving a large number of generous donations for the emergency relief. Usthi is impressed by the great solidarity.

Thanks to the support of Usthi donors, another 300 food packages have already been distributed to families in need. The packets were distributed to migrant workers and single mothers, who could no longer feed themselves and their families. Many single women have either lost their direct income or are suddenly on their own due to the death of their husband. For them, every contribution is of great importance.

For the distribution of the food aid, Usthi’s partner organisation in Hyderabad is supported by volunteers. Thus, the distribution was done in nine teams, each consisting of three to four local employees and volunteers. Usthi’s partner organisation is also well networked with other aid organisations. The regular exchange helps to coordinate the emergency relief operations and avoid overlaps.

Usthi is hoping to be able to continue providing urgently needed aid in the upcoming weeks. We thank you very much for your trust in the Usthi Foundation and your great solidarity.