Ashraya Hastha Trust, Bangalore, Swasti and Taaras Coalition come together to support affected People Living with HIV (PLHIV)
- To ensure PLHIV have essential food supplies, hygiene and safety kits during COVID-19
- Protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Chennai,
19th June 2020: The COVID-19
pandemic has disparately affected People Living with HIV (PLHIV) who have lost
their livelihood and are most vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their
immuno-compromised status. For PLHIVs, access to ART medicines is critical to
maintain their immunity. However, with the lockdown, access to ART medicines has
become difficult. Additionally, PLHIVs and others who have other chronic health
conditions require special nutrition practices. The Public Distribution System
and cooked food packets distributed by local authorities and other agencies are
often unsuitable for them. The loss of livelihood pushes the most vulnerable
and marginalized deeper into poverty and ill health.
To support these communities to mitigate
COVID-19 related challenges 3 entities - Ashraya Hastha Trust, Swasti and
Taaras Coalition have come together with the intention to reach ration, hygiene
and safety kits to PLHIV members of 32 Community Organizations across 5 Indian
States - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
Leaders of Taaras Coalition, a platform of Women in Sex Work has undertaken the
responsibility of distributing the kits to the most vulnerable members of the
community, ensuring their nutritional needs were being effectively met.
“The
safety, hygiene and ration kits that we provide to the community members are
tailored to the specific needs of PLHIVs. The ration kits provide them with the
right nutrition. The safety kits have reusable and washable cotton masks,
Sanitary Napkins, and soaps that they can use to protect themselves from
COVID-19. The hygiene kits for the field staff have masks, sanitizer and hand
gloves to ensure safe distribution of the kits. AHT aid has not only ensured
material support but also moral support for PLHIVs during this difficult
time.These individual members feel that there are organizations and individuals
that care for them. This activity has not only helped the members who received
the kits, but also supported 36 local vendors and their families who supplied
the ration kits and other supply chain members. We are with the community and
we will continue to be with the community.” Says G.Kallana Gowda, Chief
Impact Officer, Swasti
The
kit distribution process started on 5th of June 2020 and will continue up to
25th of June 2020. Around 300 community leaders from 32 Community Organizations
from 5 states and 150 staff members have been involved in the entire exercise,
reaching 1000 PLHIVs.
“Without
these hygiene and nutrition kits, our community members who are suffering from
HIV would have been at the risk of COVID-19 and starvation. We remain grateful
to AHT and Swasti for standing with our community during our difficult
time.” Says Veena, Taaras Leader from
Karnataka.
Swagata*,
a PLHIV member of a Community Organization of marginalized women - Rudrama Devi
Mahila Mandal in Andhra Pradeshadds,
“I have been HIV positive for the last 7 years and I am on ART. I know the
importance of nutrition for my health - however, due to the lockdown, I lost my
livelihood leaving me with no money to purchase nutritional supplements. During
this helpless situation, Ashraya Hastha Trust, Swasti and Taaras Coalition came
forward to support us by distributing nutrition and hygiene kits. This has helped
me stay healthy and protected despite the pandemic.”
COVID 19 and the curfew has made the situation
worse particularly for the PLHIV people. PLHIV people in rural areas like
us have no help during this curfew. Due to Lack of work, we have great
difficulty in getting food materials.The timely help provided by Ashraya
HasthaTrust andSwasti by providing ration, nutritional supplements, and
hygiene materials for one-month usage was very helpful to us. You have made us
realize that you are there for us. Onbehalf of our PLHIV people, we extend
our sincere gratitude to you for supporting us in our hard time” said Kanchana*
-Taaras Leader Tamil Nadu ( Melur Village -Madurai)
Distribution
of such kits tailored to the needs of PLHIVs who are at heightened risk of
COVID-19 is critical. PLHIVs and among them the most marginalized - by gender
and livelihoods that put them at increased risk, continue to struggle with lack
of access to basic necessities and need help - in terms of nutrition,
protection from COVID-19 and alternate livelihoods right now.
Ashraya
Hastha Trust is a charitable organization funded by Infosys Co-Founder K.
Dinesh and his family. It’s focus areas are Education, Health Care & Animal
welfare.
Swasti,
The Health Catalyst is a global public health not-for-profit headquartered in
Bangalore, India.
Taaras Coalition is a national platform for women in sex work
leaders and their community organizations
*name
changed to protect privacy
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