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!