Though sporadic cases of Zoroastrians affected by Covid-19 continue, post April 2021 the intensity of the second wave has subsided. However, the trail of misery in its wake continues, with community members from different walks of life suffering health and financial complications.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trusts (WZOT) have been raising funds from donors all over the world and have been actively involved in alleviating suffering to the extent possible.
In keeping with its policy of being transparent and accountable in all community welfare projects undertaken from funds raised by it, WZOT are sharing details of assistance provided to Zoroastrians affected by the second wave of the pandemic.
For loss of income due to closure of places of worship 121 mobeds were provided a total sum of Rs 30,25,000. There were 74 self-employed persons who were assisted to the tune of Rs 15,80,000. To ameliorate the suffering 259 salaried persons who received reduced or no salaries, WZOT disbursed Rs 49,77,000, while 37 persons were given Rs 7,30,000 by way of education support and relief from poverty. Twenty-nine Zoroastrian farmers who suffered losses from agriculture, dairy and poultry farming were provided relief totaling Rs 4,25,000. Food grains worth Rs 21,91,150 were distributed to 650 needy beneficiaries. A sum of Rs 84,21,916 was spent on the hospitalization and treatment of 107 Covid patients. This amounts to a total sum of Rs 2,13,50,066 being distributed to 1,277 deserving beneficiaries.
In addition to the WZOT’s regular welfare activities, initiatives towards alleviating the suffering of Zoroastrians affected by the pandemic will continue over the next few months. During the first wave (March 2020 to March 2021), WZOT had raised and disbursed Rs 2,90,16,137 worth of aid to affected Zoroastrians.
The WZOT are extremely grateful to donors, big and small, from all over the world, to our well-wishers and resource persons at various locations in India and our administration team who have been ceaselessly involved in this humanitarian exercise.