Interconnection
by Chacko Jacob
There are an estimated 10 million NGOs worldwide. Some champion the causes of the marginalized; some bandage wounds while others work for lasting peace in war torn regions; and some feed the hungry while empowering them towards a life of self-reliance and dignity.
In crisis situations like the present one they are at the forefront. They are the first to get out on the ground with food, medicine and other essentials during natural disasters and pandemics and the last ones to leave when it comes to recovery and rehabilitation. But of course, NGOs are not the only ones contributing to mitigating suffering in times of crisis.
Taking the example of the 2018 floods in Kerala, there is a long list of corporations, religious groups, philanthropists, media personalities and sports stars that came together in solidarity to help the well organized and co-ordinated government and independent NGOs to provide relief and rehabilitation to affected areas.
In the current situation Kerala is being hailed all over the world as a model state in dealing with Covid-19 virus, thanks to its decentralized health care system and local government. After protest by the migrant population demanding to be sent back home, its handling of the situation is laudable. In co-operation with NGOs migrant workers or “guest workers”, as they are now being called, are being tested for the virus, provided their own regional foods, board games, counselling, and even mobile phone recharges. Helplines have also been set up with 5 different major languages that are spoken among the migrant workers.
Administrations all over the globe have requested the help of non-profits to aid in the fight against the virus and mitigating the effects of the lockdown on vulnerable groups. NGOs, many of whom were already involved in relief work, jumped at this chance to serve their fellow human beings.
If you are a regular to this blog, you would know that many of our alumni have temporarily stopped their regular work to provide relief to those that need it most. Ragunath Veeravel’s story was mentioned on Day 6 (https://www.kanthari.org/corona-blog-day-5-29-03-2020/). A 2019 participant from Puducherry, he founded Aaranya which promotes afforestation. Although his beneficiary, the environment, is doing quite well these days, we find out now that he was unable to just take it easy. He has been working quietly to distribute groceries among the most disadvantaged in his community. Last week, he reached out to the constantly migrating Irular Tribe, a people without any identification or voting rights. They were also helped during the 2015 Tamil Nadu floods. This week he distributed a second batch of rations to migrant workers, and next week it will be the Narikuravar, an indigenous hunting tribe.
It is inspiring to see government workers, the police force, healthcare workers, corporate CSR along with NGOs band together in solidarity to fight a common enemy.
We do not need a crisis to realize that we work better when we work together. With the bleak economic outlook and the division of power poised to worsen further, we all have our work cut out for us in the coming years. There are always crises of all kinds happening right that need the full co-ordinated attention of all sectors. Let this spirit of co-operation not end with Covid-19. Let it not be the hallmark of only tragedies but a continued effort to march towards victories in social change.