COVID 2nd wave

BDSSS and its COVID-19 Relief – 2nd Wave

COVID-19 has impacted billions of lives around the world. Governments, individuals, businesses and civil society organizations are battling to save lives, support families and keep businesses and organizations afloat. During these unprecedented times, the role of NGOs has become paramount iin combating the coronavirus and its impact on society’s most vulnerable populations, especially in the underserved regions where government services are struggling. The Dicoese of Belgaum serves peoople in one of the most underserved areas of the state of Karnataka.

One of the pivotal roles of BDSSS, since its inception in 1997 is to diminish Disaster Risk Reduction. It has been the organization’s endeavor to not only provide instant aid but also bridge the gap between institutional guidelines and local realities by empowering Community Based Organizations (CBOs) through Community-based education. In the floods of 2019, BDSSS spent more than Rs. 5 Crores for different phases of relief activities with the help of Local/Indian/Foreign donors and by partnering with big corporate names such as Collins Aerospace through Caritas India.

The first wave support that BDSSS leveraged was more of an instant support by providing food-kits, cooked food, sanitizers and other preventive aid; however, the second wave demanded more effort. It overwhelmed the healthcare system, leaving hospitals struggling to cope and oxygen in short supply resulting in casualties.

BDSSS supported communities through the following relief:

• 25 Oxygen Concentrators with accessories were gifted to Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences. The selection of BIMS as the donee hospital was solely at the discretion of the partners – Caritas India, Caritas Germany and Siemens Caring Hands. The latter wished to provide support to government hospitals since the people trust government hospitals during pandemics. On 29 th June 2021, in a ceremony at BIMS Belgaum, BDSSS donated 25 concentrators to BIMS in the presence of the Hon. Regional Commissioner, Shri Amlan Aditya Biswas, Smt. Mangala Suresh Angadi, Member of Parliament, Belagavi, Shri Anil Benake, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Belagavi North, Director of BIMS, Administrator of BIMS, the other doctors of BIMS and Bishop Dr. Derek Fernandes, the BDSSS President. An addition to this was the availability of 2 Oxygen Concentrators for emergencies to be used for patients at home in case of a possible COVID-19 Wave 3 in the Diocese. BDSSS has secured them and will make it available (upon request) for the people without discrimination of caste, community, creed, etc absolutely free. The entire support is worth Rs. 50 Lakh.
• 2 Oxygen Concentrators with accessories exclusively for BDSSS for community- based care of COVID patients as per the need and requirement. This arrangement is seen as a preparedness measure of home-based support, in the event of shortage of oxygen for the patients at home.
• Second Level Treatment Centre (SLTC) support of Rs. 10 Lakh to our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Dharwad. BDSSS helped in procuring necessary medicines and equipment to treat COVID -19 patients in the hospital. The special COVID unit will cater to 450 – 500 COVID patients.
• Deccan Herald and Prajavani Relief Trust contributed Rs. 5 Lakh to BDSSS for COVID work at Cardinal Gracias Hospital in Nirmal Nagar. It will help Cardinal Gracias add value to its current COVID care centre.
• 8 Oxygen Concentrators with accessories were provided to Cardinal Gracias hospital, Belgaum. Each Concentrator costs Rs. 10,400/-. Cardinal Gracias Hospital has started a special COVID care unit for the poor people of nearby villages of Nirmal Nagar.
• BDSSS catered to 75 vulnerable families in its Alnavar work area by giving them access to medical kits comprising of Pulse oximeter, Vaporizer (Inhaler), 15 N-95 Face Masks and 1 liter Sanitizer
• Risk Communication and Community Engagement – RCCE in association with KROSS. BDSSS will reach out to 600 families in 146 urban and rural areas of the Diocese with COVID-19 awareness
• BDSSS is working with its collaborator Childline India Foundation in rehabilitating the children orphaned by COVID-19

BDSSS expended Rs. 64,31,000/- as part of its relief work in the second wave of the pandemic. The entire management and staff conveys its heartfelt gratitude to Caritas India, Caritas Germany, Siemens Caring Hands, Deccan Herald and Prajavani Relief Trust, KROSS and the other donors for their love and appreciation. May God bless us and bring healing to the people of our nation.