With the on-going implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, an emergency response was undertaken by Chrysalis with funding from a private donor through CARE USA, to support the most vulnerable communities with immediate relief.
Communities living and working in tea plantations and marginalized rural areas, Women headed households, households with persons with disabilities, households undergoing quarantine process at home and intermediary centers, women and youth owning and managing MSMEs: their staff, families and those connected to their downstream value chains were supported. In addition to Front-line government officers, Intermediate Covid Centers, Elders’ Homes, Children’s Homes and SMEs who are at risk due exposure to their workers and raw material suppliers and markets also received support.
The response included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), mobile hand washing stations, awareness on COVID prevention health materials and awareness raising of Frontline officials.
The entire emergency response was built around Chrysalis’ existing projects, partnerships and community linkages in each of the geographic locations. For an example the Community Development Forums (CDF) in the tea plantations, Praja Mandalas in the villages (community-based organizations leading and facilitating community action), as well as SME Business Consortiums facilitated and coordinated the response in certain areas, while Chrysalis directly implemented activities in some locations and implemented, in close coordination with the respective local authorities, particularly with health authorities and other local government agencies.
Some of the key activities included: