By Verghese V Joseph –
Following the COVID-19 (Corona virus) pandemic and the subsequent lockdown across the country, the church and its institutions through their vast and effective network of education, healthcare, service-oriented organisations and parishes in India are quietly going about helping millions of the poor, marginalised and the most affected by providing food, medical and shelter support; while at the same time strictly following the government guidelines on nation-wide lock-down.
In the ongoing corona virus impact that has affected millions of lives across India, particularly the poor, marginalised and the displaced, churches across the country have stepped their efforts to mitigate the poor’s sufferings to fulfill especially the Christian obligation of charity during this Lenten season.
Across the country, church-run hospitals are turning a part of their wings into dedicated quarantine blocks. Education institutions are providing support in various ways. Shelter homes are offering food and place for the poor to stay. Parish networks across the country are being drawn into many of these activities.
The Christian Coalition for Health in India (CHAI) expressed their willingness and offered their resources to collaborate with the government of India to fight the deadly pandemic. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, CHAI offered all facilities in Christian hospitals across India for coronavirus treatments. The Christian Coalition for Health in India (CCHI), apparently one of the largest healthcare systems in the country, expressed their willingness and offered their resources to collaborate with the government of India to fight the deadly pandemic.
Father Mathew Abraham, C.Ss.R, the President of CCHI and Director-General of CHAI, extended his solidarity to PM Modi and the entire nation. The letter, also signed by Dr Priya John, general secretary of the Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) and Dr Sunil Gokavi, executive director of the Emmanuel Hospital Association, stated that preparations were already in progress for the treatment.
The CCHI has over 1,000 hospitals and more than 60,000 beds across the country. Over 1,000 sister doctors and around 50,000 Catholic nuns work in the health sector in India, as per the Catholic Health Association of India
An online platform ‘coronacare.life’ too has been launched to encourage people to benefit from live chats, audio and video calls, apart from communicating through mails and counselling with regard to issues around corona.
More importantly, these initiatives are being also activated at the parishes’ Small Christian Communities (SCC) level to identify nearby deserving people who need support and solace during this time of crisis. These actions are also an opportunity to fulfil Christian obligation of charity during this Lenten season especially the Year of the Poor.
The Archdiocese of Bhopal has distributed provisions for cooking (dal, oil rice, atta etc.) to the daily labourers who have no work, no earning and no food.
The Diocese of Ajmer is helping over 200 people at a fixed location by proving essential items.
Varanasi diocese has distributed food provision packets at several places in its region.
In the North East region, Assam Christian Forum has launched ‘Operation Reach-Out’, to help one family (if capable more) by supplying to them with required essential survival rations for the next remaining days.
The Ranchi Diocese too has chipped in with offers to help migrants by providing whatever need they may have in addition to sharing shelters, giving clothes, etc.
Under the guidance of Mysuru Bishop Most Rev (Dr.) K A William, the diocese of Mysore is catering to over 3000 poor people everyday by providing food under the guidance of Mysore City Corporation. Mr Santosh of Mother’s Caterers has generously accepted to provide lunch per person at Rs 15 only. The prelate thanked the efforts of priests, religious and laity in coming forward to feed the poor in this time of disaster.
As the poor families, homeless and stranded persons are struggling in the wake of lock-down situation due to the Corona pandemic, Archdiocese of Bangalore too has reached out in as many ways as possible. Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore, in association with Fr. Edward Thomas’ Dream Indian Network and other priests, has consolidated an action plan to care for the affected people.
Archbishop Peter Machado has exhorted and called on all Catholic and Christian hospitals, doctors and nurses to reach out and to take care of the sick, especially people affected by the Corona Virus. The Prelate also encouraged the hospital administration to set apart either a block or a section with as many beds as possible to admit the increasing number of inflicted cases.
In order to accommodate migrants, homeless and those who are stranded and lost in a big city like Bangalore. They are being housed in temporary shelter homes at the following places at St. Philomena’s School, Railway Colony, St. Joseph’s School, Briand Square, Mysore Road, St. Xavier’s School, Shivajinagara, Lourdes school, Cubbonpete and Lourdes Schools, Halasuru
Parish Priests have being requested by the Archbishop to identify small groups of volunteers not more than 3-4 persons to identify the poor families, daily workers and other needy people and also make request to generous donors who can support this cause. During this lock-down period, every Monday, the food materials packs will be distributed on a weekly basis. The food packs containing rice, ragi, flour are being handed out.
Archbishop Peter urged all saying, “Christians are urged to come in solidarity to reach out to the poor in best and prudent ways possible. In this time of isolation and social distancing, let us not isolate the needs of the poor and let our hearts share the warmth of the love of God and neighbour”.
Responding to the increasing number of persons affected by the illness, an online platform ‘coronacare.life’ too was launched by Dr Sr Victoria along with Rev. Dr Mathew Abraham, the President and the Director General of Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) in association with Project Vision.
“Fear and loneliness are the worst enemies of human being in a moment of crisis. If we have a way to overcome fear and loneliness, human being would most likely overcome crises situations of life,” said Fr George Kannanthanam, Director, Project Vision, a partner of the online initiative. The reasoning behind the launch of the facility launch is for anyone who is stressed about Corona virus to talk to someone.
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CoronaCare launch by Dr Sr Victoria, President, CHAI and Dr Fr Mathew Abraham, Director CHAI with Fr George Kannanthanam, Director of Project Vision.
The situation calls for creative interventions from various non-governmental agencies, having its access to the people, especially in the field of psycho social support. Billion Lives, a tech company with social passions based in Bangalore, India, headed by John Santhosh, spearheaded the initiative by developing the necessary platform and tech solutions. People are encouraged to go to the site for live chats, audio and video calls, apart from communicating through mails.
Project Vision, a Claretian social mission, based also in Bangalore coordinated with various national networks in India to bring together the required professionals who were willing to provide voluntary services. Sister Doctors’ Forum of India (SDFI) and Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers (KAPS) provided the required expert volunteers. Rajagiri Hospital specialists Dr Jacob and Dr Neethu along with Dr Sally John from MGIMS, Wardha, Maharashtra, trained the volunteers. All this background work was coordinated within ten days’ time, as Billion Lives worked on developing the platform.
Fr Jojo CMF, working in Claretian Publications in Macau, China, kept inspiring the people concerned in India with the information on the great need for such a forum for the huge numbers who are quarantined within China. Fr Jojo also organised to get volunteers who could speak Chinese, both Mandarin and Cantonese. Project Vision managed to get volunteers who could communicate in German, French, Spanish and Italian, along with most languages in India.
The site www.coronacare.life is active and accessible. There are about 30 professionals from social work and psychology background ready to take the calls. Doctors are ready to answer the medical queries. People might just want to get information or they want to share their worry and concerns or they are affected in some way such as being quarantined and so they want to openly speak with someone.