Emergency aid for India

We support the children of the basket weavers through an education fund, a project that is very important to us. However, the coronavirus crisis and the lockdown of the past few weeks have brought another issue to the forefront: providing the women and their families with basic foodstuffs and urgently needed hygiene products.

For many workers, especially those in the informal sector, the lockdown imposed on March 23, 2020, and the resulting loss of income, in addition to the risk of infection, represent a potentially life-threatening situation. Both the social security and healthcare systems in India are not adequately equipped to support those who have lost their livelihoods.

Although the strict measures were temporarily eased, they were tightened again on June 15th in Tamil Nadu due to rapidly rising infection rates. A strict lockdown is in effect until June 30th. Since demand has plummeted, as it has in Germany, a short-term improvement in the situation is not in sight.

Speed Trust, the NGO we work with, immediately began helping the families of our weavers and distributing aid packages after the first lockdown was announced. Due to the living conditions in the slums, social distancing is extremely difficult, and the risk of COVID-19 infection is very high. To reduce this risk, hygiene kits were also distributed.

The NGO's funds were originally intended for social projects, such as education and healthcare. They have now been redistributed to support families. However, these funds are now exhausted, and Speed Trust therefore needs additional support.

Madras Carry is on board

In addition to a special order, we have decided to donate 10% of the proceeds from the Aaradavu sale to Speed Trust to further support the families. An aid package costs approximately €30 and contains rice, lentils, oil, flour, spices, sugar, and salt. On average, the food supplies last four weeks for a family of four. Each family will also receive masks, hand sanitizer, soap, and laundry detergent.

We are aware that this is only a small contribution in this difficult situation, but it increases the chance of approximately 80 families to stay healthy.