NGOS During Pandemic
NGOs are a country’s central nervous system that binds together people from different parts of the country, uniting them and ensuring that the good deeds of all activities reach every nook and corner. All NGOs play a major role in a country’s development. They have played a phenomenal role during the pandemic situation, shaking the country again with its second wave. Even the Supreme Court has applauded the contribution of NGOs in India, and the development experts advised that it’s not possible for the Government alone to holistically address the pandemic situation to ensure that all the measures reach the needy, last-mile people.
In the report on the Socio-Economic Impact of Covid-19, the UN Secretary-General Mr Antonio Guterres acknowledged and appraised the role of grass-roots organisations and NGOs in fighting Covid-19 at local levels and helping the communities with economic and livelihood opportunities. NGOs have actively engaged in relief activities and ensuring last-mile delivery of relief materials, including ration and medical kits, sanitisation activities, setting up awareness campaigns and isolation facilities and rehabilitation of distressed communities.
According to the study report in National Policy on Voluntary Sector, published by Voluntary Action Network India (VANI), it was observed that in a country like India, the voluntary grass root level organisations bridges the gap between the Government and the population at large. These NGOs could provide support services even in the most untouched and marginalised areas, where the Government couldn’t reach them directly. These NGOs were undertaken when they were reeling under huge economic stress as impacted due to the pandemic.
We all have to accept that the civil society crusaders’ grit and resilience are paramount, especially during the pandemic. The NGOs and civil society organisations must join hands with the Government in a constructive collaboration to build back and enhance the country’s efforts to bring back the economy again to the development phase and ensure its citizens’ wellness and development therein.
We Grow Forest Foundation has put forth its afforestation activities and given more thrust to planting fruit-bearing trees during this pandemic situation. These efforts were carried out through Self Help Groups formed in neighbourhoods that have collected native seeds, created seed balls, and planted and nurtured them. It is possible to support families and local self-government authorities who wholeheartedly support the planting efforts in neighbourhoods and barren lands. This has taught a green consciousness in people’s minds to understand the need for bringing back greenery to nature.
Oxygen scarcity is becoming a significant concern during the second wave of the pandemic. It is high time that we all should make an effort to plant trees, create green zones within our neighbourhood, and have greenery, including our interiors, to ensure that we have free oxygen and help sustain our living. We are not just making these efforts for ourselves but for the generations to come.
So, let’s take an oath to recreate the lost greenery on the planet. Let’s work this together by being Green Warriors to save our natural habitat.
This is our home, and we need to keep our home safe for future generations. We all will join together for this noble cause and enhance ourselves as Green Ambassadors so that we set an example to the rest of the world, to join hands with us to create an evergreen environment and pay our tribute to Mother Earth.
To know more about We Grow Forest Foundation please visit our website https://wegrowforest.org/ or contact us at on 9778411911 or email at us plant@wegrowforest.org
