Redirecting efforts to build community protection in India
Stories | June 5, 2020
In lower-income countries, the repercussions of COVID-19 placed additional strain on health services, leaving many people more vulnerable. CBM Australia sought to assist and strengthen health systems and community infrastructure, ensuring that people with disabilities in India could meet their continuing and additional needs in a time of uncertainty caused by COVID-19.
By mobilising existing networks and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) in some of India’s poorest communities, CBM Australia and its partners worked hard to ensure that people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups had the information, equipment and supplies they needed to cope with risks and restrictions resulting from COVID-19. CBM Australia and partners assisted with a number of projects in India to strengthen the ability of these communities to respond and protect their members from the COVID-19 crisis, and preventative measures were high on the agenda.
Redirecting funds towards activities that prioritised community health has provided an alternative path towards building resilient and empowered communities. Our partners actively provided safe and accessible water sources (including hand pumps), food kits, hygiene kits, personal protective equipment, and mental health support to people with disabilities and their communities. Additionally, information sharing and awareness raising activities prevented the spread of the virus through at-risk populations by empowering people to practice protective behaviours.
Our partners were actively engaged in building resilient and inclusive communities and were able to rapidly and effectively respond to evolving needs under difficult conditions. Working through strong existing networks, including local government authorities and DPOs, CBM Australia was able to ensure that during these unprecedented times, no one was left behind.
CBM Australia acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) in continuing to support our work during the COVID-19 crisis.
Pledge to stand in solidarity with all our neighbours, and encourage our government to provide vital support to vulnerable nations by signing the End COVID For All pledge here.
https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/redirecting-efforts-to-build-community-protection-in-india
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