Auxilium Reach Out has been on the front line of relief efforts ever since the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed mayhem and disrupted normal life. ARO has been proud to be of service through its vast network of 35 centres in the 4 Northeastern States.

Relief efforts have been spearheaded by the Central office team of ARO led by Sr. Annie Enchenatil, FMA. ARO Through its partner organizations, has reached 10,000 households till the date distributed dry ration containing rice, sugar, cereals, salt and cooking oil. As soon as the lockdown began, the sub centres of ARO swung into action, chiefly to address the suffering of daily wage-earners, widows and destitute women and children. Support was also provided by giving awareness on protective measures and distribution of 13,000 masks to the needy people in the urban and rural interior villages.

At the Central office, a Disaster Management Team has been constituted, comprising of Sr. Annie Enchenatil FMA, Director, Mr. Shaji Fernandez, Project Manager, Sr. Agatha Athisa, Finance Manager, Sr. Martha R. Ruangmei, Project Programme Coordinator and the local directors at each sub centre to coordinate the relief efforts. This team held many online meetings to take stock of the current situation and plan future strategies.

ARO is now looking at future challenges that await it in the face of unemployment, emotional and psychological support to those affected and the continuing education of poor children in the interior villages. ARO will have to look at how assistance can be provided in the long run to those affected by financial distress.