Assisi Aid Projects

May 2021

Assisi Aid Projects is working with our implementing partner Integrated Development Trust in India to support communities that we work in to respond to COVID-19.  As the situation evolves, so too does our response. We have adjusted our work to implement urgent preventative measures and to keep our team and communities safe by reducing face to face contact. We have adapted the approach of our projects to focus on remote support and prevention of COVID-19 to comply with movement restrictions and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Distribution of humanitarian relief packages. Assisi Aid Projects is working with Integrated Development trust to prepare for another relief package distribution in the coming months.

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on people’s economic livelihood and access to food in Tamil Nadu. Financial pressures are compounded with lock down rules and food shortages. In June 2020, The generous support of private donations enabled Assisi Aid Projects to provide a much-needed widespread relief distribution across 30 tribal villages and rural hamlets in Tamil Nadu. Overall, 2463 women and their families were supported by the distribution of 17,000 kilos of rice together with lentils, face masks, soap and COVID-19 prevention information. Staff at Integrated Development Trust ensure safety measures are adhered to during the distribution of these packages with measures in place to reduce contact between the community and follow physical distancing guidelines.  In the past year, over 500 vegetable gardens have been established to enable project participants to have access to food when there is no access to the markets.

The When Every Woman Thrives- India Youth project focuses on improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children in Tamil Nadu. As face to face classes for groups of children are no longer appropriate, our network of community facilitators and tutors provide remote support via telephone where possible to children and their families. To engage children in the importance of COVID-19 prevention, whilst supporting their ongoing education and skills development, we are using innovative new approaches to provide home-based educational activities.  These approaches encourage children to participate in home-based competitions, such as drawing or writing essays on COVID-19 awareness-related topics, using materials which will be delivered to their homes.

The When Every Woman Thrives- India Women project focuses on supporting and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable women in rural Tamil Nadu. The women within the project will continue to be supported through the provision of individual phone counselling for those facing increased personal psychological problems or challenges at home during this time of emergency. The importance of prevention and awareness will be communicated through guidance via telephone to individual women by Community Facilitators. The staff will contact members of groups on a daily or weekly basis as required to spread awareness and provide guidance following updates to government instructions. During the past 12 months, extra focus has been on enabling project participants to register for government assistance.

To contribute to this COVID-19 response, please click here.