Charity projects adjust to the pandemic
In 2020, NGOs had to adapt to the new restrictions
Christine Leșcu, 30.12.2020, 11:57
Apart from inevitable healthcare problems, the 2020 pandemic has deepened and sometimes even created social dramas—mostly affecting the elderly, the homeless, and people with various chronic conditions and addictions. Some of them have been helped, ever since 2011, by Carusel Association, whose volunteers provide social and medical services to extremely vulnerable categories. Carusels executive director Marian Ursan told us what the year 2020 was like for the association and for its beneficiaries.
Marian Ursan: “It was a terrible year. People faced more severe deprivation. And this includes people who had managed to survive in big cities precisely thanks to the many restaurants and shops that were open and where they would get help. But in addition, people also felt abandoned. On the one hand, because hospitals closed, and many of these people suffer from chronic conditions, such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV. Because access to hospitals was restricted, they were unable to get treatment. Healthcare services focused on the pandemic and all other activities were, not entirely abandoned, but relegated to second place. On the other hand, we continued our work. From the first stages of the pandemic, we all decided that we must not close our doors, and we went down in the streets all this time. Together with our volunteers, we offered hot drinks, food, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, sleeping bags and blankets, everything we could think of to make it easier for these people.
But some of the Carusel Associations projects could not be continued during this period, including the Mobile Shower and the “Odessa Night Shelter. The Mobile Shower, a van that went around Bucharest to provide elementary hygiene services to homeless people, was shut down, on grounds that the steam forming within it helped spread the coronavirus. And the shelter was closed down because social distancing could not be guaranteed. Still, Carusel Association helped local authorities find a solution to accommodate homeless people at night-time, in rented rooms.
Another problem was, obviously, the spread of the COVID 19 among the associations beneficiaries, a problem that Marian Ursan discussed in the following terms.
Marian Ursan “But who cares about this category of people? Of course there are Covid-19 cases among them, we have our guesses but I think its just the tip of the iceberg. As for the authorities, do you know who asks questions about their lives—and who asks for their documents to fine these people? The police. This is the only public authority that is a constant presence in the lives of these people.
And yet, in 2020 many NGOs tried to give a helping hand to those who needed it. One of them is Seneca Association, which has been delivering food and other basic necessities to elder people isolated at home, under a project called “Our Grandparents, which started in March when the state of emergency was declared. The number of beneficiaries has grown over time, and currently their volunteers cover 50 towns and villages across the country. In December alone, they delivered 600 parcels of food and hygiene products, as Anastasia Staicu told us:
Anastasia Staicu “We first tried to help the elderly who were not allowed to leave their homes. But we found a lot of people who simply have nobody around, and people who, even if they were allowed to go out, could not afford the shopping. So we focused on places that were harder to reach, and we adopted these grandparents without families. Our volunteers have been helping them ever since March.
But, as Anastasia Staicu told us, what these grandparents need is not always something material:
Anastasia Staicu “Their emotional needs are the same as ours. Our biggest fear is perhaps the fear of being alone, and the pandemic deepened this fear. I dont believe there is anybody who has not suffered from the lack of human contact and warmth. So in 2021 we will bring something new to the project. The National Museum of Contemporary Art runs various workshops for children, and some of these children do not have grandparents and would love to adopt some. So these elderly people will find letters from children in their parcels as of next year, in addition to the food and hygiene products.
Both Carusel Association and the “Our Grandparents project will continue to make life easier for the most vulnerable among us in 2021 as well. (tr. A. M. Popescu)
