YUVA adapted its existing programmes to operate remotely or with physical distancing in the wake of the pandemic. Since we were already intimately connected with our beneficiaries and constituents, we did our best to respond to immediate needs in new ways.

Firstly, YUVA secured a special license called the “Work Access Permit” from the Government of Mauritius to be able to execute the following:

1. We provided food, medicine and hygiene kits to 628 families in need;
2. We spread information and health messaging in more than 50 villages;
3. We extended our support to women and young people in need (they were mainly beneficiaries of the Social Register of Mauritius);
4. We did crowdfunding to raise money for needy families to buy necessities;
5. We extended our support to people with disabilities, where our staff members went to buy gas, foodstuffs and medicines for them;
6. We set up isolation and treatment centres in fragile settings;
7. We provided transport in lockdown;
8. We improved livestock welfare;
9. We contacted donors for funds and emergency relief (food, shelter, soap, protective equipment etc.) to vulnerable communities; and
10. We bolstered national NGOs and governments’ response.