Don Bosco Nerul launches initiative to help families impacted by the growing COVID-19 spread in the country

(MissionNewswire) Salesian organizations across India have been working to help those impacted by the growing swell of COVID-19 infections and resulting strain on medical facilities in the country. The number of new cases has risen to more than 400,000 per day. India now accounts for one in three positive COVID-19 cases worldwide. It has put a strain on hospitals, which are running out of oxygen and turning people away because there are not enough medical supplies and staff to help all that need medical care.

Salesian missionaries, who have been working in the country long before the pandemic, are helping families in need. Don Bosco Nerul has started measures to provide a safety net for people facing hunger. A roadside refrigerator has been set up where anyone can put food and anyone who needs it can pick it up. Many in India have lost their jobs over the course of the pandemic, and poverty and hunger are growing. Food is also being delivered to those who are in quarantine and who have no one else to help them.

Efforts are still being made to facilitate information campaigns to help people understand COVID-19 and prevention. Campaigns have also been launched to disseminate verified notices about the facilities and free treatment options for COVID-19 patients available in the city.

Further, Don Bosco Nerul is holding a daily prayer service for one hour each day to help people spiritually through the crisis. People are praying in their homes and offering up spiritual meditation for COVID-19 patients and all the people who are involved on the front lines helping patients.

“There are people who are bending over backwards to buy an oxygen tank, find a hospital bed, medicine, food or even a place for cremation or burial. There are so many needs that when we seem not to be able to do anything else, we can entrust ourselves to the Lord,” said a Salesian representative of Don Bosco Nerul.

Salesian provinces around the globe are working to send funding to help ongoing initiatives in India. For example, the Salesian Vice Province of Madagascar donated 15,000 euros to help Salesians in India with the COVID-19 crisis.

India has the world’s fourth largest economy but more than 22 percent of the country lives in poverty. About 31 percent of the world’s multidimensionally poor children live in India, according to a report by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. A multidimensionally poor child is one who lacks at least one-third of 10 indicators, grouped into three dimensions of poverty: health, education and standard of living.

Salesian programs across India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support poor youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – India – Solidarity and prayer to face the pandemic

Don Bosco Nerul

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India