By Verghese V Joseph –
Early this year in March when COVID-19 pandemic came to light, Assam Christian Forum (ACF), an ecumenical association of Christians and Churches in the region North East India, undertook a humanitarian action titled ‘Together Towards COVID-19’.
Under this initiative, ACF on March 23 sent out an appeal to the churches for support to start the relief requirements arising out of COVID-19 pandemic. The response from the Churches were spontaneous and encouraging. Relief work started with identification of vulnerable groups of people in the city of Guwahati and started dry food and hygiene kits distribution to the daily wage earners, migrant workers, widows and children.
The Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI) offered its facilities at Panbazar for storage and packaging of relief materials along with a group of dedicated volunteers. The North East Diocesan Social Service Society (NEDSSS) offered to facilitate procurement of food items and Government permission for necessary movement of volunteers and vehicles.
In the words of Amrit K. Goldsmith the secretary of ACF, a “historic togetherness of Churches in Assam in responding to COVID-19 Pandemic is being witnessed. What led to this faith in action was the mind and heart of Jesus. When the crowd kept asking him, “What then are we supposed to do?” John told them, “Give food to the hungry, clothe the poor, and bless the needy.” Luke 3:10-11. This was a call for action by St. John the Baptist, Christian faith involves faith lived with actions.
During the last few weeks the two action hubs have become centre of packaging activities and the distribution. Seeing the availability of committed volunteers, the World Vision requested ACF to distribute its relief packets to 1,000 people.
The transportation of the relief packets were facilitated by Dhurvajyoti Gogoi, NEDSSS and South Point School, Barsapara by offering their pickup trucks. The private vehicles of individuals like Jacob Laise, Jitumoni Saharia, Khurseed Alam, Sushanta Mukherjee, and the organisational vehicles of Bosco Reach-out, CASA, CBCNEI, TLA, besides NEDSSS also helping out in the relief works. It was a time when public transport was not available for hiring. These vehicles helped to transport the entire relief packets to different locations at very difficult times.
The donors of this noble venture includes individuals and Churches; NEDSSS, CASA, World Vision, CBCNEI, EFI, TLA, Bosco Reach-Out, ABC, CNI, Archdiocese of Guwahati, CLC, MP Synod, Marthoma Church Guwahati, GCF, PPS, Shalom Prayer Centre, Swahlee Textile &Apparel Pvt.Ltd, Green Food Ltd, St. Stephen School and South Point School.
The meticulous account details were circulated among the members on a daily basis by Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad of All Saints Church, Guwahati.
In the words of Allen Brooks, the spokesperson ACF, ‘In the North East like the rest of the country, the poor, the marginalised along with the Government and other agencies have turned towards us and other faith-based organisations for support and help. This was obvious, given the fact that Christian religious organisations have always been at the forefront to alleviate human suffering during both, natural as well as human-induced disasters. In the present crisis too, forging a collaboration of religious institutions with the public health system and other activities led to improvements in addressing emergencies”.
As Rev. Abhiskek John, a key leader of ACF, from Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) says, “It’s a brilliant example of partnership, cooperation and joint action in reaching out to needy”.
In this humanitarian response motivated by Christian solidarity the role of its secretary has been commendable. In the words of Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, “A. K. Goldsmith the secretary of ACF has exhibited exemplary leadership during this entire relief ministry”.
In the words of Fr. Tom Mangattuthazhe, North East India Regional Bishops’ Council secretary for ecumenism, “There are several frontline service providers to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in our country, they are heroes of humanity and our nation. In North East India, the ecumenical solidarity has set a model for NGO’s in battling this pandemic. This ecumenical alliance has proved that the most vulnerable populations of our country can be reached out using our human ingenuity, to confront the problems on the ground”. The past scenario of our country has been alarming but absence appropriate actions and solidarity can make our situation worse.
Dispur Baptisy Church paid 50k….their name is not mentioned