{"id":16208,"date":"2021-07-22T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idronline.org\/?post_type=article&p=16208"},"modified":"2025-05-07T10:48:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T05:18:52","slug":"civil-society-organisations-at-the-forefront-of-the-covid-19-response","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/idronline.org\/kn-in\/article\/rights\/civil-society-organisations-at-the-forefront-of-the-covid-19-response\/","title":{"rendered":"Civil society organisations at the forefront of the COVID-19 response"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged urban and rural India alike, governments, civil society, and communities had to grapple with an overburdened healthcare system<\/a>, lack of basic necessities such as food<\/a> and medical support, loss of livelihoods<\/a>, vaccine hesitancy<\/a>, and more. <\/p>

In response to this crisis, on May 26th, 2021, 56 civil society organisations (CSOs) from across the country met online on invitation from Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA)<\/a>, Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD)<\/a>, Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra (SSK)<\/a>, Samarthan<\/a>, and Unnati<\/a>. Their objective was to discuss the COVID-19 situation and understand the emerging needs of CSOs and their response to the pandemic. The idea of launching a survey to gain a more accurate understanding of the situation was mooted. This was perceived as particularly relevant in light of the changes<\/a> in the regulatory environment, particularly amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, which adversely affected the funds and resources available to small- and medium-sized organisations. The survey—Civil society support to COVID-19 affected families<\/a>—was launched by a team at PRIA. A total of 583 responses were received from CSOs working in 26 states and 4 union territories, out of which 577 responses were considered for analysis.<\/p>

The CSOs that participated in the survey are predominantly small and medium-sized organisations. More than two-thirds of the respondents work in one to five districts, with an annual budget of less than INR 1 crore. One-fifth of the respondents have an annual budget that is more than INR 1 crore, and only a few respondents have an annual budget greater than INR 5 crore.<\/p>

\"What<\/a><\/div>

Let’s talk impact. How did CSOs support communities? <\/strong><\/h3>

CSOs have played an active role in mitigating the adverse effects faced by thousands of families due to the pandemic. Across survey respondents, 384 CSOs (or 66 percent) were able to reach out and provide support to 48,18,761 families. Nearly half of the respondents were able to support between 100 and 1,000 families. Six percent were able to reach out and provide support to more than 10,000 families. <\/p>

1. Personal hygiene materials, food, and medical support<\/strong><\/h3>

Nearly 91 percent of the respondents distributed personal hygiene items such as masks, sanitisers, sanitary pads, gloves, and PPE kits to community members and frontline workers. Seventy-eight percent distributed food—dry rations, cooked food, or both. And, 73 percent provided various kinds of medical supplies—medicines, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, and oximeters. <\/p>

CSOs helped arrange COVID-19 tests, blood plasma, and hospitalisation of patients, as needed. One-fifth of the respondents also helped organise quarantine centres, encouraged vaccination, and helped conduct vaccination drives. Additionally, more than half of them offered psychosocial counselling and emotional support to distressed families and communities. <\/p>

Approximately one-fifth of the respondents offered cash support to families in light of job losses and loss of income sources due to pandemic-related lockdowns and curfews.<\/p>

\"bar<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>
Support provided by survey respondents (n=420) | Source: Civil society support to COVID-19 affected families<\/figcaption><\/figure>

2. CSOs disseminated crucial information <\/strong><\/h3>

Given that the CSOs that participated in the survey have extensive experience working on the ground, they were able to quickly identify and adapt to the needs of their communities. <\/p>

\"donate<\/a><\/div>

Fifty-five percent of CSOs created IEC materials by translating them into local languages. <\/p><\/blockquote>

Approximately 74 percent conducted door-to-door visits to disseminate relevant information to the communities. Fifty-five percent created customised information, education, and communication (IEC) materials by translating them into local languages. Ninety-five percent provided information about COVID-19 appropriate behaviour such as wearing masks, washing hands, using sanitiser, and social distancing. <\/p>

More than 50 percent of the respondents disseminated information about access to medicines and medical support. They provided information about the availability of doctors, hospital beds, quarantine centers, oxygen cylinders, and drugs such as Remdesivir. Sixty-three percent of them provided information about COVID-19 vaccines.<\/p>

More than 50 percent of the CSOs provided information about documents required, such as an Aadhaar card, so that intended beneficiaries could access government schemes and benefits. Approximately 75 percent disseminated information about existing government schemes. <\/p>

What was the impact of the <\/strong>second <\/strong>wave?<\/strong><\/h3>

1. Challenges faced by women<\/strong><\/h3>

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a diverse set of challenges for women, severely impacting their economic, physical, and mental well-being. These are some of the challenges captured by the survey:  <\/p>