Pune: Parisar, an advocacy NGO working on sustainable development, with support from AXA Business Services under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity, has distributed urgent relief in the form of essential dry ration to community people, safety equipment (PPE) to police personnel and medical equipment to health institutions to cope with COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID 19 pandemic has severely affected community people. People from lower economic sections have become almost destitute. With very less or no money-in-hand, people are on the verge of starving. Their weakened physical condition increases their susceptibility to diseases. The total progressive positive case count in Pune city as of September 4 stands at 1,06,428, while the total virus-related death toll is 2,654.

Policemen are the ones who are more exposed to virus spread. In Maharashtra, 16,015 Police personnel, including 1,736 officers, have been found to have contracted and 163 police have succumbed to Coronavirus. The resources available for police are minuscule.

The ration kits provided to the citizens include essential items like sugar, flour, edible oil, pulses, rice, salt, soap, chilli powder, tea powder, etc. As many people are not able to afford rations, this initiative will bring relief to people.

The bags of ration kits of essential items are distributed to the citizens of the restricted area in the presence of the people's representatives of the respective areas. Essential kits were distributed to about 250 households in the containment zones in Yerwada, Bhavani Peth, Nana Peth, Hadapsar, etc.

Safety kits to 100 Police personnel containing masks, face shields, gloves and sanitisers were distributed at Aundh, Chatuhshrungi police chowky and Motor Vehicle Depot located at Parihar Chowk in Pune. Parisar has also donated two water dispensers to COVID-19 ward, Sassoon hospital. This equipment will serve patients and staff in its life span.