COVID-19 Outreach – Blind Relief Association

The global pandemic and the national lockdown imposed as a result of it has greatly affected the day-to-day lives of people around the world. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, as a responsible non-governmental organization and earnest member of the civil society, the Blind Relief Association decided to go beyond its mandated services to the visually impaired and reach out to the poor, vulnerable, and the homeless people in Delhi. Here are the various ways by which help was extended.

The Association cooked and distributed meals to homeless and poor people affected by the lockdown, in partnership with Uday Foundation since 29 March 2020. From 20 April 2020, in partnership with Saksham, an NGO serving persons with disabilities, the Association started reaching meals (dinner) to visually impaired persons as well as those with other disabilities, at their doorstep. In total, meals for 800-850 people were prepared every day in the Association’s kitchen by its own staff until the end of May.

Apart from cooked food, the Association also distributed ration, fruits, biscuits, soaps, hand sanitizers, and masks. The masks were and are continued to be produced in the Association’s Sewing Unit by a few vocational trainees, who stayed behind during lockdown, as well as, some staff of the Association.

Focusing on the need of the disabled community, the Association has been working in cooperation with cross-disability organizations in providing dry ration and items of daily use to individuals and families, hostels for the visually impaired located in various parts of Delhi and NCR.

Ration kits distributed to visually impaired persons

In collaboration with Roti Sewa, rotis were prepared and distributed to people in seven slums in Gurgaon.

Migrant workers returning home and passing through Faridabad- Badarpur border were provided packed lunch every day.

The data given below is of 31-07-2020. While some of the services have ended, the others are ongoing.
 51,000 MEALS – Prepared and distributed to the homeless laborers and less privileged persons and families in Lodhi Colony area, under Safdarjung flyover, AIIMS patients and their caretakers staying in Dharamshala
 1800 FACEMASKS – 500 masks stitched and donated to the underprivileged and persons with disability. 1300 masks sold to corporates, offices, and individuals
 900 RATION KITS – Prepared by the Association and distributed in different parts of Delhi in partnership with other NGOs. Distribution areas include Dwarka, Uttam Nagar, Palam, Nathu Pura, Sultanpuri, Karala, Pooth Kalan, Rohini, Rani Khera, Samaipur Badli, Rana Pratap Bagh, Bhalswa, J.J.Colony
 1880 ROTIS – Collaborated with Roti Sewa; by donating rotis to be provided to the migrant & daily wagers living in seven slums of Gurgaon.
 3600 PERSONS WITH DISABILITY – Residing in different parts of Delhi provided with dry ration, fruits, and facemasks
 300 MIGRANT WORKERS / DAY – Prepared and distributed lunch packets to migrant workers at Faridabad – Badarpur border

Partners

Distribution: Delhi Police, Uday Foundation, Samadrishti Kshamata Vikas Evam Anusandhan Mandal (SAKSHAM), Hoonar Foundation, Action for Autism, Family of Disabled, Roti Sewa

Fundraising: Theatre for a Cause

In-kind Donation: KRBL Limited – India Gate Rice