Today the entire world is fighting against one single enemy, “CORONA”. All the countries in the world have been invaded by this pandemic virus and India is no exception for it. The Indian government has put various strategies and taken several strong and appropriate steps to combat COVID-19. Each state in India has imposed various steps and rules including lifestyle changes to control the spread of this pandemic disease. The Tamil Nadu government has taken all possible measures to control the pandemic and we are also succeeding in our battle. Though the measures taken have been a little tough, the results have shown that the virus spread has been considerably controlled.

            There are various NGOs who have joined together with the government and are rendering their services in the war against COVID-19. These NGOs and the government personnel are working throughout the state and also in Chennai which is the most affected area in Tamil Nadu.

           The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) under government of Tamil Nadu is now doing the Community Intervention Program (CIP) in Chennai. Various NGOs are also working together with the Government in screening, isolation, referral and providing awareness among the people in Chennai.

          Alayam Welfare trust is a registered non-governmental organization operating since 2011. We are solely dedicated for the development and empowerment of women/rural youth by providing vocational training and placement.Alayam Welfare trust started its social activities as a small bud in Coimbatore which began to bloom and spread across the state.         Since this COVID-19 pandemic started Alayam Welfare Trust has been involved in various social activities which are:

• Distribution of  PPE such as face masks, for workers in and around Chennai and Coimbatore Corporation. These masks were sewed by students who are being trained in Alayam under NULM and Project Life.
• Distribution of   ration and food to North-East Indian migrant workers who were stranded in Tamil Nadu and unable to return to their hometowns during the period of lockdown.
• Helping daily wages in and around Chennai by providing food water and ration.
• Our students, trained under DDUGKY have volunteered themselves in Corona screening and prevention activities.

Now we have put hands together with the GCC in the community intervention program. The total area has been divided into number of zones and we have been allotted three zones namely 11, 12 and 15; each zone covering a population of 5000, 4198 and 3500 households respectively. 3 field supervisors and 41 Out Reach Workers (ORW) are working  along with GCC . Current Activities

• Mapping of the area, this helps in easy access and understanding of the area geographically.
• Validation of household profiles and vulnerability assessment.
• Making sure that the daily and weekly targets of the ORWs are achieved.
• Collaborate and report to the local GCC officials for effective implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control activities.
• Assist in baseline and end-line assessment.
• Monitor follow up of referrals and population under isolation or quarantine.
• Assess knowledge, attitude and practices regarding COVID-19 prevention and control activities through informal discussions with community members.
• Provide weekly feedback to program managers on ORW performance.
• Effective screening by:

1. Temperature checking
2. Checking for presence of COVID-19 symptoms
3. Vulnerability

• Health awareness:

1. Demonstrating hand washing techniques
2. Awareness about the disease
3. Need and importance of social distancing
4. Cough and sneeze hygiene
5. Importance of face mask
6. Lifestyle changes
7. Conduct rally, skit and street drama
8. Placing posters
9. Providing group education

• Follow up of vulnerable cases such as elderly, presence of systemic diseases, children and pregnant mothers.
• Providing ‘Kabasura kudineer’ for community people

         We are working our best and also helping our Government to overcome this pandemic and will continue our work till we achieve a ‘Corona Free Nation’.