Jeypore: As the poor and destitute people are going through a challenging time due to the COVID-forced lockdown in Koraput district, the members of women self-help groups are extending a helping hand by serving cooked meals to them.
The WSHGs are distributing food among the poor, homeless, elderly, migrants and other needy and destitute living in different areas in the district.
No doubt, the lockdown is immensely helping the district administration in containing the spread of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the same time we are sensitive towards the problems faced by the people, especially the needy and vulnerable, says Koraput Collector Abdaal M. Akhtar.
The district administration has roped in WSHGs to provide cooked meals to the needy at this crisis situation, he added.
The administration has made all necessary arrangements to ensure that no one should go without food.
As many as 28 WSHGs have been engaged in the rural areas and 12 groups in urban areas to distribute cooked meals among the poor and needy, said Koraput PD DRDA Prabeer Kumar Nayak, who personally monitors the entire process.
The WSHGs members are reaching out to the poor in remote areas in the district.
The district administration has asked the officials to indentify people who need assistance during the lockdown. Such people are being given free food on a daily basis.
Not only this, the SHGs are also providing cooked food to the Temporary medical camps (TMCs) which have been operational since April 13. As many as 259 persons have stayed in the TMCs, out of which 158 have already been relieved. Currently, 101 persons are staying in TMCs. They are being served by the SHGs.
Apart from serving meals, the self-help group members are also immensely helping the district administration in the COVID awareness drive.