THE SECOND DAY

The COVID-19 response began on the second day of the lockdown.

The concern was immediate.

Daily-wage workers depended on being able to work every day to put food on their tables. If people were asked to remain at home for days or weeks, many would quickly run out of the resources needed simply to survive.

So food supplies were arranged and distributed to people who needed them.

But providing relief during a pandemic was unlike ordinary relief work.

The country was trying to contain the spread of a highly contagious virus. Movement was restricted. Police were working to enforce the lockdown and prevent further contamination.

At the same time, people without resources still needed food.

That meant finding a way to do both.

The team worked closely with the police, understanding their concerns and finding practical ways to move safely and provide assistance to people who were suffering.

As requests began coming in, the initiative evolved.

It became a request-and-relief response.

Wherever a genuine request came from, the need was understood and the appropriate relief was arranged.

Food was one need.

But the larger principle was simple:

Tell us what is needed, and we will try to find a way to help.

The response became less about following a predetermined programme and more about responding to what people actually needed.