Disaster Relief – Standing by Communities in Crisis
During COVID, we as Seekho Aur Sikhao swiftly aided struggling families with food and resources
Rapid Response During COVID-19
When lockdowns left families without income or food, we acted immediately
The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for vulnerable communities in Kishanganj. Daily wage earners suddenly found themselves without work, and families struggled to afford even basic necessities. Recognizing the urgency, our team quickly pivoted from education programs to emergency relief efforts.
Working under the name Seekho Aur Sikhao before our official registration as Sapnon Ki Pahal, we leveraged our community networks to identify those most in need and distributed both cash assistance and ration kits to help families survive the crisis.
Our Pandemic Relief Impact
Direct Cash Assistance
Provided to over 80 vulnerable families, helping them meet urgent needs during lockdowns when daily wage work disappeared.
Ration Kits Distributed
Essential food supplies worth ₹2.50 lakhs delivered to families without access to basic nutrition during the lockdown period.
Extended Reach
Additional families supported through partnerships with local organizations in remote communities beyond our direct network.
Families Supported
Total households that received sustained food assistance during the pandemic's most challenging months.
Collaborating for Greater Impact
Recognizing that the need exceeded our individual capacity, we formed strategic partnerships to extend our reach:
- Project Potential Trust helped us identify additional families in remote villages who were falling through the gaps of government relief efforts.
- PRADAN provided logistical support and helped us navigate challenges in reaching isolated communities during lockdown restrictions.
- Local volunteers and community leaders became our eyes and ears on the ground, ensuring help reached those who needed it most.
These collaborations allowed us to provide ration support to an additional 110 families beyond our initial target, demonstrating the power of collective action in times of crisis.
Voices from the Community
"The ration support came at a time when we had nothing left to feed our children. For weeks, my husband couldn't find work as a daily laborer, and we had exhausted our savings. This assistance gave us hope and strength to keep going during the toughest days of the lockdown."
Sunita Devi
Beneficiary, Kishanganj
Working with the team during the pandemic showed me the power of community-driven relief efforts. Their commitment to reaching the most vulnerable - especially single mothers and elderly-led households - was truly inspiring. We learned that real impact happens when organizations work together without ego.
Rahul Sharma
Volunteer Coordinator, Project Potential
Building Future Resilience
This experience continues to shape our commitment to disaster-responsive action
The COVID-19 relief work taught us invaluable lessons about crisis response:
- Local knowledge is irreplaceable - Our existing relationships in communities allowed us to act quickly and target assistance effectively
- Flexibility saves lives - Being willing to pivot from our regular programs to meet urgent needs made all the difference
- Partnerships multiply impact - Collaborating with other organizations helped us reach more people than we could alone
We've since incorporated these lessons into our ongoing work, ensuring we're prepared to respond when future crises emerge.
Help Us Build Community Resilience
Your support enables us to maintain emergency response capacity and continue serving vulnerable communities in times of crisis.