During the COVID-19 lockdown, WCS-India staff came together to contribute personal funds towards the procurement and distribution of relief materials for communities they work with on the ground.
WCS-India staff efforts also saw 185 families of Masthigudi and 60 families of Sollepura relocation center in Nagarahole receive more than 250 kits on April 26 at a time when essential items have been hard to come by.
Field teams distributing relief materials in Nagarahole
Funds were mobilized through staff contributions to a COVID-19 relief fund, which was then disbursed to field teams working with relocated communities in Nagarahole. A wholesale trader was zeroed in on, who assembled kits with essential items. While the government PDS has ensured basic rations, the WCS team provided additional essentials such as bathing and washing soaps, and rations such as coconut oil, sugar, masala, and beaten rice.
The team sought permission from the tehsildar for transportation. All families were informed and mobilized on April 26, when members of the WCS staff – H.L. Govindappa, J.K. Prakash and C.V. Devraj distributed the kits whilst strictly adhering to social distancing norms.
The team also provided families from Mysempet and Rampur villages in Kawal Tiger Reserve were provided with one week of essentials like oil, potato, tomato, chilli and onion.
Ramachandra Bhat, WCS-India staff, provided kits containing groceries such as rice, sugar, chilli, dal, etc. to around 20 families living inside Kudremukh National Park of his own accord, with help from his friends.
We are proud of our team for coming together in such an inspiring act of commitment, kindness and unwavering dedication in times when it matters the most.