This week has seen a considerable spike in COVID19 cases throughout India. In one day there was a record increase of 5,609 new cases. This brings the total number of people infected to 112,000 cases with 3,435 deaths. This is a worryingly large rise since last week. As a result the government has again extended the lockdown until the end of May. Some essential businesses will be allowed to operate. Tamil Nadu, the state where Nandri is situated, also continues to see a high number of new cases. There are now 13,967 people infected with the disease in our region.

One area that has been identified as an infection hot spot is a food market in Chennai, the capital City of Tamil Nadu State. In fact to date, 2000 cases have been linked to this market. Food markets in India are crowded and bustling affairs, with zero chance of observing social distancing. Koyambedu market is one of the largest in Asia, covering 65 acres in the heart of Chennai. It is the centre of the food supply system to Chennai City and the surrounding areas and as such a vital but now dangerous part of the food chain. Originally the government tried to make the market a safer place but this has not worked. The authorities have now closed the market and relocated vendors in an attempt to halt the rapid and widespread infection rate of the virus.

Nandri has always been aware of the importance of educating our families in order to prevent the spread of COVID19. We appointed staff members to phone our mothers regularly to both instruct them and to also check on how they are doing and whether they are in need. Our mothers in turn then educate the other members of their villages in how to stay safe. An important aspect of educating the families is teaching our children how to stay healthy and maintain good hygiene. We instigated programmes specifically aimed at the children. They are going through a very worrying time in their lives and In order to help them, we have organised drawing competitions and games for them to keep them occupied while at home during the lockdown.

We continue to expand our community outreach programmes to feed our mothers and their families and also to visit the neighbouring villages and provide bags of rice, oil and cooked meals to those who are struggling to survive. Nandri is providing a vital link for those who otherwise would be starving and unable to get any aid. Without Nandri’s help, these people Would be in a hopeless situation.

This week we helped two young sisters who had lost their parents and are now living with their elderly grandmother. They were at the point of starving when Nandri heard of their urgent need for food. We delivered rice and other basic necessities that will feed them for a month. We supported more than 700 families in Vellore City with 10 kgs of rice which will feed them for 10 days. The Corona virus has caused great hardship in the large cities. People are in desperate need of food and basic supplies. Nandri literally has been a life saver for these people. We will continue to support them as long as they need our help. Without your help we could not do this life saving work. Nandri to you all for helping us make such a difference in helping our people survive the lockdown and this dreadful pandemic.