Sewa International USA has released the "American Dharma Report". The report assembles the work of 125+ local, regional, national, and international level Dharma organizations related to serving the public during the pandemic and supporting those on the front lines in fighting the pandemic.

Last month has been particularly hard on Sewa International, as we faced the terrible Glacier Burst disaster in the Tapovan area of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. We had been working since 2016 in this area, starting with small beginnings of first SHG & a small Computer Centre, to now more than 1000+ active members mainly women, in Community/Skill Development, Organic Farming and Health Services. Our bonding with the wonderful people of the region which has grown stronger over time, made it extremely painful to see the horrific visuals. Our team was among the First Responders who immediately swung into action and helped provide services to the front line workers as well as aggrieved families. Unfortunately, we lost few of our SHG members and family members of our team members too in this unexpected tragedy, which made it especially hard for us. At the same time, we were humbled by the support received from India and abroad for helping out the affected families as well as for the rehab work that needs to be done.

Thanks again for your trust, and partnering with us in our journey towards a better world!!

Regards,
Nishant Aggarwal
Chief Executive Officer,
Sewa International

Glacier  Burst: Relief & Rehabilitation

After January brought joy and hope, February tested our capabilities and resolve to serve the people in Uttarakhand. The massive Glacier Burst in Tapovan(Chamoli, Uttarakhand) took everyone by surprise, by its sheer ferocity and speed with which nature's fury was unleashed. We were the unfortunate first witnesses to the horrible disaster which led to deaths of hundreds of ill-fated workers in the power plant as well as villagers. Our team despite being in shock acted as responsible First Responders and immediately got involved in rescue and relief operations, in tandem with NDRF, ITBP and State/District Administration.

We provided the following services to the affected people:

• Informed via our social media posts.
• 4000+ meals served to affected people and frontline saviours
• 100+ trauma counselling sessions held with the aggrieved family members of missing/dead people
• 60+ patients treated through our Sewa Aarogyam(Mobile Health Van) stationed in Tapovan
• 300+ Food Kits distributed to families which suddenly lost their livelihoods or came looking for their relatives 

More than 40 volunteers and employees were restlessly involved in surveys for missing people, and serving through above-mentioned activities. 

Oracle - Covid-19 Rehab Projects 

For Covid-19 Rehab, to provide and generate livelihood opportunities through skilling and entrepreneurship, accessible health services and WASH facilities across 5 states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand, Sewa International is supported by Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd through its impactful CSR program. Though its only couple of months, since we started these programs, but the response and support has been overwhelming. We are excited to share the updates of our projects. 

Uttarakhand

e-Health Centers

To provide timely health services in remote hilly areas, we have established 4 e-health centers in Hapla, Makkumath, Kotma, and Urgam of Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts of Uttarakhand These centres would provided telemedicine services, and medical consultations. These will be in operation from the next month.

Model Migrant Village

Paving a path to livelihoods for the migrants post-COVID-19 period, we are providing 15-day skill training on Ringal production (a bamboo type) under the initiative. Currently, 15 beneficiaries are being trained in Raulenk village of Makkumath cluster in Rudraprayag district.

Seed Bank Initiative

Under this initiative, we are working towards increasing the farmer's income. 1500+ Kg's of Ginger seeds have been provided to the farmers at a comparatively lower rate in the Pokhari cluster of Uttarakhand.

Building Agri-Supply Chain

Adding an important milestone in the project, we have included a vehicle in our machinery. The vehicle will support marketing and will make transportation easier for essential merchandise.

Sewa Aarogyam

Continuing our efforts for providing timely and doorstep medical facilities in distant areas, we have added one support vehicle(Force Traveller) for travel of our workforce of 10 health members. This will in movement of our staff to reach out to remote locations in short time. Through Sewa Aarogyam, we were able to serve the family members of the missing people or victims as well as provide immediate help to the frontline workers who were engaged in rescue of Glacier Burst victims.

Tripura

We have launched a Livelihood Development program for the economically weaker fish farmers in the tribal-dominated areas of Tripura. The program aims to promote a fish-based integrated farming system in Satnala (Kanchanpur), and Teliamura (Khowai) districts of Tripura to increase their income for sustainable livelihoods.

Fish seeds comprising of IMC fingerlings (rohu, catla and mrigal), floating pelleted feed, lime, MOC, SSP have been distributed to 50 beneficiaries under technical & scientific guidelines of ICAR-CIFA scientists, Dr. P.P. Chakraborty and Dr. Jackson, who spent the week with the farmers providing valuable inputs.

Maharashtra

Post COVID-19, we are supporting migrant families of the Konkan division and Nandurbar district of Maharashtra to sustain their livelihoods. Under this, we have distributed mobile rice mills to 5 families. These rice processing mills will allow these families to provide milling services to fellow villagers and be a regular source of income for them.

Arunachal Pradesh

Oragnized awareness programs on "Boosting Immunity through Herbs and Yoga" in more than 25 villages of Arunachal Pradesh.

The programs include Yoga classes and plantation of immunity-boosting herbs to help villagers develop and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Sewa Across Globe 

Providing mobility to our medical health service in the unreachable corners of Maharashtra, we have added a Mobile Medical Unit. This van is providing basic health facilities like full medical checkups, as well as consultations with the help of doctors and medical staff and reaching out to the patients at far-flung areas at their doorsteps.