Schools and training centres run by the Catholic Church in Northeast India is turned into quarantine facility for medical personnel to fight corona virus.

Bishop Victor Lyngdoh of Jowai diocese informed that “We are humbly extending all possible support to the people in this pandemic situation through Government of Meghalaya. We have donated Rs.3,00,000/- for CM fund. So far 2 of our schools are being used for quarantine purpose namely Little Flower Higher Secondary School of Ummulong and Holy Cross Higher Secondary school of Umkiang”. The Diocese of Tezpur (in Assam) and the Diocese of Jowai (in Meghalaya) have informed the govt through local administration that they are ready to offer their infrastructures for quarantine purpose and hospitals for medical use.

In the face of overwhelming odds, the Church in India is doing its part to help curb the outbreak of this deadly disease and offer its services to help those in need and contribute to the overall well-being of the people. Caritas India and its partners at nationwide are supporting the neediest like migrants, daily wage earners and street dwellers with dry rations, hygiene kits, cooked food and masks.

In this COVID-19 pandemic situation, the remotest Catholic Churches of Northeast India are coming forward to support the Govt. with monetary donation through CM Relief Fund and with existing infrastructures like schools and training centers.

While speaking to Caritas India, His Grace Bishop Michael Akasius Toppo, the chief functionary of the diocese of Tezpur and Tezpur Social Service Society shared, “We have sent out circulars to all our people in the far away missions, schools, villages and tea gardens in order to create awareness among them about the danger of COVID-19. We have shut down all our schools, colleges, hostels, factories and churches. We have paid one-month salary to all our employees without work. We are supporting with dry rations and hygiene kits to poor labourers in and around the tea gardens and we are happy to donate Rs.4,00,000/- for CM Relief Fund and we are offering our schools and training institutions for quarantine purpose and mission hospitals for medical facilities”.  

In Northeast part of India, 5 Dioceses have opened their institutions to support the Government machinery in fight against Covid-19. The Diocese of Jowai has opened 18 schools and one hospital for Govt of Meghalaya. Whereas, the Diocese of Tezpur has committed 3 schools, one training centre, one pastoral centre and 2 hospitals to the Govt of Assam. There are 35 nurses and medical personnel accommodated at Pastoral Centre, Tezpur facility. Shillong diocese has given two of its institute for quarantine facility. Agartala diocese also has given ASHA (Holy Cross Congregation training centre) for setting up the quarantine facilities. Miao Diocese in Itanagar has turned their 2 Schools and 3 Churches into shelter homes for the migrant population.

Carita India and her partner Social Service Societies across the country are extending the humanitarian service to the marginalised people through relief support. The organisation in also planning a long-term strategy to intervene after this short-term relief efforts.