Auroville Village Action’s response to the second wave

The second wave has impacted our region also very badly. While there was no death reported during the first wave in our area, this time there are more than 200 people affected by the virus and 22 deaths till the end of May. Yet, many more with symptoms do not go for testing for fear of infection and death due to hospitalisation.

This wave has impacted the socio-economic fabric of our region terribly, and apart from the unskilled and semi skilled workers, drivers, construction workers and people working in private schools and guest houses are the worst affected. 

Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG) has launched a collaborative pandemic response and prevention initiative planned to assist 20,000 families in 75 communities in the bioregion of Auroville, to reduce the spread and the impacts of the pandemic. This initiative has different aspects.

Immunity boosting natural medicines and education on prevention

The pandemic is burdening the health facilities badly. To help the communities control the spread of the disease, AVAG has run an extensive natural health care awareness campaign and education and prevention initiative. It aims to educate people to follow preventive measures and boost their immunity. Educational flyers and autorickshaw canvassing and social media have been used extensively to raise awareness and create a better understanding of the second wave. During the first wave of the pandemic, AVAG distributed Arsenicum Album homeopathic immunity booster to 16,000 families. The local DSP said the places where the dosage was given had significantly fewer cases of COVID than elsewhere in Vanur block, which is why AVAG is distributing it again. As per the request of the villages AVAG also plans to distribute Siddha medicine in the communities around Auroville.

There have been some concerns in the villages about the safety of vaccines. Village representatives asked AVAG to invite the Block Medical Officer and the police to speak on this matter. The villagers asked a lot of questions and received clarification. With the cooperation of the village groups, AVAG also assists the block medical office to organise vaccination camps in the villages.

Providing support to the most vulnerable people

Many have lost their livelihoods in the second phase of the pandemic. In India there is a minimum job assurance scheme called MNREGS to help the most vulnerable families earn a minimum amount by doing jobs provided under the scheme. However, in our area the scheme has not been operating for the past few months and, anyway, the latest government order has banned people above 55 years and ones with co-morbidities from doing work under this scheme.

Many single women, widows, the physically challenged and the aged depend on this income in a big way. AVAG plans to distribute Rs. 500 worth of hygiene and food materials like masks, soaps, dhal, oil, garlic, turmeric, to each of the 3000 most vulnerable families in the communities around Auroville.

AVAG will also distribute these packs to all families in which there have been cases of COVID.

Distribution of Masks

There have been repeated requests from Women’s Groups and the communities around Auroville for AVAG to supply reusable two-layered cotton masks, which are effective in controlling the spread of the epidemic. Normally, these are not sold in the local market, and they are also quite expensive. However, AVAG will endeavor to supply all who are in need.

Regarding the mental health of the villagers, AVAG has given the mobile numbers of the staff to call in case of a need, and we have asked the leaders of the networks in the villages, like the task forces, women SHG (Self Help Group) members and youth club members to be supportive and inform us in case of an emergency. There is a psychologist who is willing to give online support to the traumatized people and AVAG is sharing his number with the people through its network.

The pandemic response and prevention initiative was developed with village representatives who have worked closely with AVAG since the beginning of the pandemic. Village and street level task forces, consisting of village leaders, women’s federation, youth and the members of sports associations and Government departments, as well as members of Auroville units and schools, are helping AVAG execute the project, ensuring that Auroville and the neighbouring villages support each other at this critical time.

This project is also fostering unity and harmony within the communities, as in almost all settlements different sections of the communities are working together to control the pandemic.

AVAG is very grateful and thankful for all the support they received for their previous campaigns, without which they would not have been able to help the rural communities to overcome the first wave. Though AVAG would like to execute all the above activities in the neighbouring villages of Auroville, their support to these communities depends upon how much they can fundraise.

To support the 20,000 families in the rural communities in the bio-region of Auroville during this critical time, AVAG needs INR 40,55,000.00 (Euro 45,554.70 / US $ 55,331.90) and so far it has raised roughly half of it. If you would like to contribute to this initiative, please contact avagoffice@auroville.org.in for more details.

Any support is deeply appreciated.

The Auroville Village Action Group