April, updated July 2020

Assisi Aid Projects is working with our implementing partners Integrated Development Trust in India, and Live and Learn Cambodia 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.

India

Distribution of humanitarian relief packages. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on people’s economic livelihood in Tamil Nadu. Financial pressures are compounded with lock down rules and food shortages. With the help of generous donations, Assisi Aid Projects has introduced the distribution of rice, cloth face masks, soap, and lentils to the participants in our women and children projects.  The relief package will provide more than 17,000 kg of rice to 2463 families across five districts. 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.

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.

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

Relief distribution packages are supporting women and their families within the communities in which we work. Image supplied by Integrated Development Trust, June 2020.

Cambodia

The When Every Woman Thrives- Cambodia project seeks to increase the active participation of women and young people in taking active leadership roles and improving their livelihood resilience. We need your help, as we implement new activities to support communities at this time. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are organising mobile speakers and transportation to raise awareness on prevention of spread around villages in Chak Commune. This is implemented by project staff, who will work with the Gender Task Force, in cooperation with the Commune Council and Health Centre. We are also producing and distributing educational posters and leaflets aimed at children and adults to increase understanding of COVID-19 and promote self-prevention including proper hygiene practice and hand washing.

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

COVID-19 information packs created by our program participants are helping to raise community awareness on social-distancing measures and hygiene practices. Image supplied by Live and Learn Cambodia, May 2020.