Dimapur, April 18: The Indian Red Cross, a voluntary humanitarian organization, known for providing relief in times of disasters/emergencies and promoting health & care of vulnerable people and communities, have once again launched its volunteers in the service of the people during the nation-wide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.
In Dimapur, more than 300 Red Cross volunteers have been activated in view of the lockdown and sealing of certain areas in Dimapur due to a reported COVID-19 positive case last Sunday night.
These volunteers mainly help in maintaining social distancing in areas where markets and ATMs are open, where LPG cylinders are distributed, besides assisting the district administration.
However, with the sealing of Marwari Patti, Murgi Patti and GS Road, the Red Cross volunteers have been pressed into action to help those who are in need of any essential commodities or medicines.
According to a Red Cross official, 4 members have been authorized by the Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur to work inside the quarantined zone, delivering essential commodities and medicines on demand from people inside the quarantine zone.
Such humanitarian service by few selfless volunteers deserves praise, but what about their safety concerns?
When enquired from a volunteer about the safety measures adopted, he told Nagaland Page that all of them wear face masks, hand gloves and use sanitizers and maintain social distancing from the people in the quarantine zone when they go to deliver goods. On questioned about PPEs, he said that the volunteers have not been provided with any PPE kits till now by the Government.
An official said that the Red Cross volunteers have been provided with gloves, masks, sanitizers and jerseys/raincoats only by the organization.
He said that the volunteers are assisting district administration in distribution of dry rations and vegetables to the needy people, besides creating door-to-door awareness about COVID-19 in various colonies.
He also informed that Authorized Red Cross Volunteers collect medicines from Jain Medicos and Ideal Chemist and deliver them to the people in their homes in the quarantine zones. All Red Cross activities are performed in coordination/instruction of Government agencies, he added.
Meanwhile, today as the wholesale market for vegetables was shifted to Naga Shopping Arcade, Red Cross volunteers were pressed into action as large number of retail traders reached the spot to buy vegetables.
(Page News Service)
