COVID-19 crisis: How YMCA helps the economically weak

'It is only natural that in such a national crisis, we should lend a helping hand to the less privileged members of our communities.'

Various YMCAs across India have so far distributed more than 100,000 food packets to those economically affected by the coronavirus.

Members, staff and volunteers at YMCAs across the country have provided food, household provisions, safety kits, and other materials to the needy, in collaboration with district and local officials in their regions. This involved volunteers cooking, packing and distributing food from several YMCAs.

The efforts have been funded by the National Council of YMCAs of India as well as locally by various members.

"We will sustain our work for as long as we can. Much as would like to increase our work, we need to work within our constraints," Bertram Devadas -- national general secretary, YMCAs in India, who has been with the institution for 38 years -- tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar.

YMCA is known for its sports and cultural activities. Is relief work during emergencies part of the association's charter as well?

Yes, it is. The YMCA is a worldwide youth focused contextually socially relevant movement. We were involved with relief work in the recent Odisha cyclone and the earlier Kerala floods.

How is the relief work during the lockdown being done? Do individual units of the YMCA decide what can be done in their area and send you a proposal or do you tell them what to do?

At one level, there are projects directly under the National Council of YMCAs of India. Based on local felt needs, they submit a proposal. Work is executed in coordination with respective management committees and the national office in Delhi.

At another level, local YMCAs like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Coimbatore, Bairagarh, Tuticorin etc work with the respective board of directors. They have their own budgets.

How do you select the areas/people who are in need of relief?

Local felt needs determine the proposals. A bottom-up approach is adopted.

Do your units mobilise funds in their own area or do you give help them with funds?

We give them funds based on budgetary provision. Projects are encouraged to mobilise funds from other sources as well. We are providing nonfinancial service – some facilities for those requiring observation/quarantine.

What about essential commodities needed for distribution or cooking, does every unit manage on its own or is there a centralised purchasing team?

Every unit manages its purchase requirements, for cooking and/or distribution.

What protective measures are YMCA staff in the field taking?

Staff, volunteers, committee members wear protective gear (mask, gloves) and use sanitisers. Social distancing is also observed.

Do you coordinate your relief distribution work with local authorities?

Yes, we do. We coordinate with government agencies, including the police. In several places, the police are with us in the field.

In Delhi, government officials from the chief minister's office pick up food packets for distribution.

What are the difficulties you face in purchase of essentials or in distribution to people?

Despite carrying a pass, in some places the police stop volunteers and staff from approaching certain markets.

However, generally these difficulties are minor, and few and far between. No hiccup in distribution to people.

Apart from your volunteers, have you hired cooks, drivers and other people to help you with work during the lockdown?

In some places, a cook is readily available. In other places, dry ration is provided.

You have distributed more than one lakh packets of food, how much more can you do with your existing funds?

We will continue for a few more days. Large local YMCAs will be able to sustain efforts for a couple of weeks.

However, the national office needs to review cash flow requirements of its projects with respect to statutory payments, including salary. Income levels have dipped drastically.

How are you raising the required funds, or do you have an abundant corpus?

We will look for donations, grants. Some reserves will need to be drawn down. The World Alliance of YMCAs is establishing a global fund to help weaker YMCAs.

Are you planning to increase yrelief work or are you planning to sustain the same level for the rest of the lockdown?

We will sustain our work for as long as we can. Much as would like to increase our work, we need to work within our constraints.

The YMCA has always worked closely with the community it serves.

The Christian values of love, peace, sacrifice, sharing, caring etc are universal, and resonate with people we work with.

Although the YMCA is membership-based, the beneficiaries of our civic engagement in education, rural work, sports, hospitality; our staff, volunteers, together constitute approximately 90% of people of other faiths.

Our roots in the community are strong.