The official Corona case numbers in India are declining. But it is too early to breathe a sigh of relief. Lockdowns have been extended at all project sites in India. A strict lockdown has also been in place in the Kathmandu Valley since the end of April. First relaxations are planned for this week.
Corona infections in India are decreasing day by day. Nevertheless, thousands are still falling ill every day and fighting for survival. The vaccination campaign is still progressing slowly. Therefore, a renewed increase in numbers cannot be ruled out. The situation in Nepal also remains tense.
In a large part of the Indian states, curfews have been tightened. The relaxation of the measures depends not only on the infection figures but also on how many risk patients have already been vaccinated. In the three states of Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal, where Usthi is responsible for projects, the lockdowns have been extended. A very strict lockdown was also imposed in the Usthi project region in Nepal at the end of April – even supermarkets had to close. This week, this measure is to be relaxed a bit.
Last week, Usthi feared that Cyclone Yaas, which hit the east coast, could also affect the Usthi projects. Fortunately, this did not happen. Nevertheless, the storm destroyed countless houses and many people had to flee. In Penthakata, some families were able to take shelter on the grounds of the Usthi school. Only a week earlier, Cyclone Tauktae hit the west coast of the country. Natural disasters like this further complicate the fight against Corona.
The current situation will continue to have a strong impact on Usthi projects in the current project year. Despite declining numbers, Usthi considers a resumption of classroom teaching in the Usthi projects to be out of the question in the near future. In Telangana and thus Hyderabad, the summer holidays have been extended until mid-July. After the holidays, the children and youths at all school locations will have to resume classes at a distance.
Fortunately, the Usthi children have adjusted well to the new situation. Several children from the Usthi children’s homes graduated from high school this spring – again with top grades. Usthi is happy to have enabled these children to build a perspective for themselves and is proud of their good achievements.
