This page collates reported relief efforts by various Bohra communities around the world during the Covid-19 crisis. It includes such endeavors as the supply of food rations, cooked meals and provision of PPE masks and garments.
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Mokhada, India
Reunion, Indian Ocean
Bahrain
Leicester, UK
Kolkata, India
Rajkot, India
North America
Tuesday 28th April relief efforts to date
Times of India reports on community kitchens, India
Yourstory.com reports on the Happy Threads ladies turning their skills to making face masks.
Sunday 26th April relief efforts to date
Patna, India
Dawoodi Bohra community of Patna distributed 100 Packets of foodstuffs to 3 different areas in Patna.
Houston, USA
Houston Council Member Plummer thanks Bohra ladies of Houston for facemark donation.
Dallas, USA
Dallas Bohras donated food for Somali and Yemeni refugees in the city.
UAE
Gulf News reports on 5500 meals distributed to workers by the community.
San Diego, USA
New Jersey, USA
Toronto, Canada
28th April |
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Members of The Dawoodi Bohras in #SriLanka, Avalon SRI LANKA and family donated essential dry rations to 153 families in the #Kotahena area affected due to the #coronavirus pandemic on Saturday (April 18th).
600 lunch packets were distributed in Jaffna.
Monday 20th April relief efforts to date
Kenya
Leicester, UK
Around 80 staff at Leicester Royal Infirmary were served biryani meals.
Maryland, USA
Montgomery County, USA
Civil Military Cooperation, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Security Forces - Jaffna Assists Bohra Community to Distribute Food Items to Needy People
The Sri Lanka Army, on Saturday 18 April 2020, assisted the Bohra Community in Sri Lanka to distribute essential food items to hundreds of families in the North amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bohra Community distributed the food items, on behalf of global Community Leader, His Holiness, Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, who has launched a worldwide humanitarian initiative to provide food to thousands of families in COVID-19 hit countries.
The Community was assisted by the Sri Lanka Army in the North, by identifying the families in need, transporting and distributing the items in an organized manner.
The Bohra Community thanked the Sri Lanka Army in assisting them in their distribution drive. "We are grateful to the Army for helping us in this initiative. At times of crisis, it is our duty as citizens of this nation to help our fellow citizens. The Army has always assisted civilians in times of need and we concluded the distribution drive successfully due to their support," Mufaddal Adamjee, local Permanent Resident (PR) coordinator of the Bohra Community said.
Saturday 18th April relief efforts to date
Houston, USA
Thursday, Houston Jamaat delivered food and hand made thank you cards to two hospitals. The cards were made by the jamaat children. The goal was to show our gratitude and support to the health care providers in Houston area, especially in the medical center. The two hospitals that were covered were, Methodist ICU and Memorial Hermann. They first went to Methodist and then to Memorial Hermann ICU unit. The staff was very happy with the show of support and the presence of the community members.
Friday, Houston Jamaat delivered individual package meals and handmade cards by children to Tomball Regional Hospital. Several of our jamaat doctors work at the hospital as well. Feedback from multiple nurses & other staff members is that they loved it.
London, UK
Meals were delivered to the staff of Ealing Hospital, London.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Edmonton, Canada
Dawoodi Bohras of #Edmonton served 100 food packages to @wingsofprov,
a non-profit supporting women with children who have experienced
family violence. These efforts aim to comfort those disproportionately
affected by the pandemic.
Bradford, UK
India, Media report
Livemint reports on multi-faith efforts for Covid Relief in India.
Nagpur, India
538 packets distributed.
Ajman, UAE
200 meals given out.
Thursday 16th April relief efforts to date
USA
Thane, India
FMB kitchen is supplying cooked food to 400 persons daily.
Groups of individual volunteers teamed up to supply 48 families of construction labourers with food ration packets.
Surat, India
13th and 14th April, 1532 and 1500 meal packets distributed by Husaini Soliders, Begum Wadi Mumineen, Burhani Group and Ekta Trust
Reunion, Indian Ocean
Meals provided to government hostel.
Tuesday 14th April relief efforts to date
Karachi, Pakistan
Meals were given out in Gohram Goth, Karachi where both food and water are short.
Australia
Toronto, Canada
Lucknow, India
Food being provided to those in need during the lockdown.
Nagpur, India
A total of 618 meals of chana aaloo pulao were distributed in the following areas:
320 packets Mangalwari, Sama Nagar and Vandevi Nagar,
198 packets Kalamna, Chikli,
80 packets Shitla Mata Mandir,
20 packets Bairagi Mohalla.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
On the 11th of April, members of The Dawoodi Bohras in #SriLanka further distributed essential rations to 156 households in the #Kirulapone area. The Kirulapone Police officials and Clergy from the Poorwarama Buddhist Temple participated and assisted in the distribution.
The Dawoodi Bohras in #SriLanka extended their support to districts outside of #Colombo on the 11th of April.
Members of the community managed to successfully distribute 498 ration packs to residents in the #Bandarawela and #Ella areas. Furthermore, the following officials pledged their assistance in the distribution of these packs.
Senior Inspector of Police (SSP) - Bandarawela Division
Head Quarter Inspector of a Police (HQ)- Bandarawela Division
Officer in Charge (OIC)- Ella
Divisional Secretariat- Ella
Chief Officer of Grama Niladhari
Area Grama Niladhari
Monday 13th April relief efforts to date
Bahrain
The Bohra community in Bahrain joined hands with the Capital Governor, HE. Shaikh Hesham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, to participate in the Capital Governorate initiative, to provide food to the needy in the Kingdom.
1000 Containers of biryani were prepared and packed by the community, keeping within strict safety and social distancing requirements.
The packed containers were handed over to the Capital Governorate, who then organized the distribution through government channels.
Today was the first of 3 such initiatives planned by the community, the next being on the 14th and then the 16th of April.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7FiEBl93B/?igshid=15xy8bkdtqt5b
USA
Surat, India
The Times of India reports on Bohra relief efforts in Surat, India.
Plano, USA
Chicago, USA
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Adamjee Lukmanjee & Sons steps in to provide essential rations to families during COVID-19.
Leading Sri Lankan Dawoodi Bohra business establishment, Adamjee Lukmanjee & Sons Pvt Ltd, on Saturday, donated essential rations to 450 families in the #Grandpass area, in Colombo, assisted by the Grandpass #Police.
The essential items were distributed in the presence of Senior DIG of the Western Province, Mr. Deshabandu Thennakoon, company directors and staff.
"At a time when governments across the world are fighting to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, it is our duty as citizens to help our fellow citizens. This worldwide initiative has been launched to ensure that families have sufficient food during this crisis period. Therefore many companies including Adamjee Lukmanjee & Sons (Pvt) Ltd. have stepped in to fulfill this goal of providing essential items to families in Grandpass,"
Managing Director, Murtaza Adamjee Lukmanjee said.
Adamjee Lukmanjee & Sons Pvt Ltd is one of the oldest and leading companies in the Dawoodi Bohra community in Sri Lanka.
www.AdamjeeLukmanjee.com
#Covid19LK
Sunday 12th April relief efforts to date
Ahmedabad, India
Times of India reports on Bohra relief effort in Ahmedabad
USA/Canada - Various Places
The @Dawoodi_Bohras of #Dallas partnered with their friends @IISDFoundation 'Food for Thought' program to provide 2 weeks of meals to 400+ students facing food insecurity due to #COVID19 school closures.
The small (<10 families) @dawoodi_bohras #Dayton #OH community donated 500 lbs of food and 200 cans of milk to Miamisburg Helping Hands to help people in need during the #COVID19 crisis. This NGO serves the greater #Miamisburg, #WestCarrolton, and #Moraine area.
This #GoodFriday2020, #Tampa #FL @dawoodi_bohras donated to @Radiant_Hands, an NGO serving those who would otherwise "fall through the cracks" of social services, to aid 50+ families affected by #COVID19. These efforts aim to help those disproportionately affected by the crisis.
Partnering with @MCFOODSNetwork #foodbank, @Dawoodi_Bohras from #NewJersey recently provided 17,760 meals to people in need, as well as meals for 90 #healthcareheroes at 3 local hospitals. #COVID19 @GovMurphy
Police officers of @TampaPoliceDep District 3 were given a @PapaJohns pizza lunch by @Dawoodi_Bohras of #Tampa #FL to thank them for their exemplary service to the community, particularly during #COVID19.
The @dawoodi_bohras of #Columbus #OH raised money and volunteered to pack and provide 53 boxes of essential food items, good to serve a family in need for a month, to @myprojectusa. My Project USA is an NGO that uplifts under-privileged neighborhoods. #MyProjectisUSA
San Antonio, TX provided approximately 100 meals to frontline medical personnel and gathered enough food to provide 300 meals to the food bank.
In Calgary (Canada), Boston pizza (vegetable) was distributed at all 3 locations for the staff The Mustard Seed Charity to thank our front line workers during the #COVID19 pandemic. Boxes of face masks were also donated.
The @Dawoodi_Bohras of New York arranged a pizza lunch for the local police and fire-fighters (NYPD Precinct 113) and FDNY EMS (Station 54). Thank you for your hard work and sacrifices to keep us safe!
In Orange County, California, a number of volunteers have stitched over 100 masks.
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Kuwait
552 food packets given out in Kuwait.
Nagpur, India
On the 11th 407 meals were distributed in the following areas:
267 pkts Mangalwari, Sama Nagar and Van Devi Nagar
140 pkts in Wadi Basti.
On the 12th 600 meals were distributed in the following areas:
320 pkts, Mangalwari, Sama Nagar and Van Devi Nagar
200 pkts Ajni
40 pkts Bairagi Mohalla
40 pkts Bhandewadi.
Surat, India
550 food meals distributed.
Toronto, Canada
The Dawoodi Bohra Community of Toronto has stepped up their efforts during the COVID-19 crisis. They are looking after senior citizens, and those who are in need, with free food, groceries, and medicine that is safely delivered by their volunteers. They have also provided care packages for local healthcare workers and first responders who show their bravery on the front lines every day.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Akhtari Trades - Akhtari Group of Companies (members of The Dawoodi Bohras; #SriLanka), distributed essential rations to 150 families, which included their staff and people around the Kandana area.
CRI-Group of companies adhering to His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s fervent wish distributed 60 packs amongst their staff and families around the #Arukwatte, #Padukka area.
11th April The Dawoodi Bohras of #SriLanka distributed ration packs to houses in the #Dehiwala area with the assistance of the Grama Niladhari, Madam Narmada and the officials of the Police.
Friday 10th April relief efforts to date
Tweet by Rajdeep Sardesai, Indian TV news anchor
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Today (9th April), the Dawoodi Bohra Community distributed essential rations to 50 members from the BMICH Police Force, in appreciation of their efforts and dedication towards safeguarding the nation at this crucial time.
Reunion, Indian Ocean
"Anjuman é Saifee" organized on Friday April 3, 2020 a distribution of food parcels in the municipalities of Sainte-Marie, Saint-Denis, Sainte-Clotilde, Saint-André, Saint- Benoit, Sainte-Rose, La Possession, Le Port, Siant-Paul, Étang Salé, Saint-Louis, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Joseph and Tampon.
350 families received rice, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, pasta and buns. The operations went well on all the municipalities of the island. 52 social workers participated in this distribution.
We thank the prefectural services, the departmental territorial intelligence service (SDRT), the police and gendarmerie services for their excellent collaboration. It enabled the success of this mission in this very special period of confinement.
Nairobi, Kenya
Cooked meals were distributed to police officers and residents in the Rongai area of Nairobi.
Alirajpur, India
Manchester MRI Unit tweet, UK
MRI Transplant Unit (@MRITransplant) Tweeted:
We would like to thank the local Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community from Manchester for their generous gift of lunch today for the transplant unit. It was warmly received and made us very happy ?
Leicester NHS tweet, UK
Leicester National Health Service tweeted appreciation.
Thursday 9th April relief efforts to date
Sharjah, UAE
200 packets cooked in masjid kitchen and distributed.
Leicester, UK
Leicester Ladies volunteers cooked snacks for NHS staff and sent to two major hospitals in Leicester.
Samosas and bhajias get the thumbs up
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Fresh lunch packets given out at the Stanley Jansz Grounds (Matti Park), to the residents in the neighbourhood. Volunteers from the community also distributed food rations to the residents of Ragama.
Vishakhapatnam, India
Packets were distributed to various places including De Paul orphanage in Yendada and Aanand Margah Ashram.
Surat, India
Ekta Trust gave out 200 complete meals.
Houston, USA
Houston Jamaat delivered around 1100 meals to the community. 1000 meals were delivered to the church which distributed the meals to families. Another 100 meals and hand sewn masks, made by community women, were also delivered to Turning Point. Turning Point is an organization which houses homeless people.
Wednesday 8th April relief efforts to date
Free Press Journal reports on ration distribution and stay at home prayers.
Nagpur, India
The Times of India reports on stay at home prayers.
Los Angeles, USA
Monday, April 6th, Anjuman e Burhanee, Los Angeles donated 2,000 masks to West Hills Hospital. We are trying to provide every possible aid in the fight against the #COVID19 pandemic and also commemorate World Health Day. The hospital, especially the nurses, were very appreciative of the donation.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Daily Mirror reports on ration distribution.
703 ration packs given out with the assistance of the Police.
Bambalapitiya Police - 250 parcels
Bambalapitiya area - 32 parcels
Wellawatte area - 68 parcels
Mirihana/ Nugegoda - 200 parcel
Kupiyawatte area - 153 parcels
Dubai, UAE
Anjuman-e-Najmi, with the help of Dubai Police, distributed 1000 meals in Al Muhaisnah Labour Camp.
Monday 6th April relief efforts to date
Nasik, India
The Times of India reports on doorstep deliveries to the elderly in Nasik.
Pune, India
Pune Mirror reports on paramedical aid at home.
Surat, India
1350 packets distributed on Sunday.
Vasai Road, Mumbai
Mayor has given permission to distribute food packets for 10 days.
We shall provide 1000 packets daily and on 15 Shabaan (7th April) we will provide 2000 packets.
Sunday 5th April relief efforts to date
Kolkata, India
Food given out by all-faith group in Kolkata. Telegraph India.
Nagpur, India
500 packets Day 1
749 packets Day 2
661 packets Day 3
836 packets Day 4
Food distributed in coordination with police and local MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly)
Surat, India
800 cooked meals the previous night and 786 next day distributed near and around the Civic hospital by Burhani Guard, Husaini Soldiers & Ekta Trust.
London, UK
A 'Thank you' of pizza and fruit sent to hospital staff at Ealing Hospital.
Sailana, India
Food packets given out in Sailana.
Nasik, India
Food given to 850 people.
Gifted gloves and masks to two police stations - Mumbai Naka & Nasik Bhadrakali - as well as 600kg each of rice and wheat.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Food distribution in Colombo referenced by the Sri Lankan President in a tweet:
Kandivali, India
Kitchen being prepped for making meals to give to daily wage earners.
Friday 3rd April relief efforts to date
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Akbar Brothers donate 100 million Sri Lankan Rupees to relief efforts
Boston, USA
The Billerica News reports on community efforts in Boston, USA
Nasik, India
The Times of India reports on community relief efforts in Nasik, India
Dhamangaon, India
Byculla, Mumbai, India
Los Angeles, USA
Marol, Mumbai, India
1105 foodstuff packets were given out to the community.
Patna, India
The community distributed food ingredients to over 70 families in need in coordination with the Shia Waqf Board, Bihar. Another 50 packets were given under the guidance of local politicians. It is expected that 159 packets will be given in the coming days.
Pune, India
To help the community in social distancing and encourage them not to leave their homes, SEZ Pune Burhani members have set up 2 helplines:
- Medical Helpline
Doctors and Saifee Ambulance paramedics attend 4 phone lines for telephone consultations.
- Essential Goods Helpline
8 numbers according to areas, essentials can be ordered and will be delivered.
Bhayendar West, Mumbai, India
300 food packets distributed to the needy.
Surat, India
700 cooked meals were handed out in Surat by the Ekta group.
Mumbai, India
Saifee Ambulance, Mumbai provides food to those in need as well as checking temperatures of police on duty.
Chennai (Madras), India
600 ready-cooked meals of rice and lentils for the needy.
Karjat, India
30 packets of everyday requirements were distributed to adjacent tribal area.
Jasdan, India
Community has collected funds to provide supplies for 2200 meals to needy citizens which will be prepared by our brother Muslims in their Jamaat Khaana.
Vidisha, India
Food packages were delivered to 100 homes.
Neral, Burhani Park, India
Food packets given to 30 needy families and tea served to police twice a day.
1st April Update - Covid-19 assistance by the community around the world
Seattle, USA
The Seattle community donated 280lbs of chicken to @SalvationArmyUS.
#HealthCareHeros at @EvergreenHosp are working 24/7 on the frontline of #COVIDー19. To show appreciation, the @Dawoodi_Bohras of #Seattle dropped off snacks to keep up their spirits - a small gesture compared to their great work.
Boston, USA
The community funded the #Billerica Community Pantry’s #fooddrive distributing 22,000lbs of meat, fresh fruit & veg, rice, soup, and helping to feed 350 families.
Canada
Members asked after the elderly and provided food packets while maintaining social distance.
Areas covered- Toronto, North York, Markham, Scarborough, Richmond Hill & Vaughan
New Jersey, USA
Over 150lbs of food delivered to our friends @MCFOODSNetwork, an organization working to ensure food security in Middlesex County via 100+ #foodpantries #soupkitchens and #socialserviceagencies. @Dawoodi_Bohras in #NJ are proud to play their part #COVIDー19 @bcohen60 @GoVMurphy
Karachi, Pakistan
500 packets with flour 5kg, oil 2ltr, milk 3ltr, rice 3kg and daal (lentils) 1kg were distributed.
Nagpur, India
Members of the community youth served tea and refreshment to police on duty during lockdown in various zones of the city.
Fort, Mumbai, India
Food For Fort provided lunch for 200 deprived persons in Fort area with chapattis rice dal/ vegetables and banana in disposable containers. It is our honour to serve such people in this stage. Today the first day 100 containers were finished in 12 to 15 mins.
Detroit, USA
With the onset of COVID-19, we are gathering donations within our community as C.A.R.E.S. now has a dire need in purchasing food to address the increasing demand from the community. In the first week of the COVID-19 outbreak in Michigan, Anjuman-e-Najmi Detroit donated the equivalent of over 5100lbs of food. Since most of the volunteers at C.A.R.E.S. are senior citizens, they have experienced a sharp drop in volunteers. On Saturday 3/28/2020, seven members came to C.A.R.E.S. to bag over 300 bags of groceries for the upcoming week.
Sitamau, India
The Dana Committee of Sitamau distributed poha and tea to all municipal workers, doctors and the police around the village.
Surat, India
Dana COMMITTEE and Ekta Trust distribute 100 packets of foodstuffs.
Minneapolis, USA
Dawoodi Bohras of Minneapolis donated more than 300 pounds of food items to ICA Food Shelf (Intercongregation Communities Association) which helps the low income and economically vulnerable section of the society in the twin cities area in putting food on the table.
Jetpur, India
Police and hospital staff and others were served tea and biscuits by the community.
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Pune, India
Written by: Alifiya Nalwala
With most housing societies having restricted the entry of helpers into their premises in times of social distancing, senior citizens are struggling to get hold of essentials. Coming as a ray of hope for these seniors and vulnerable groups — including foreign students and those from other cities working in Pune — are numerous volunteer groups which have sprung up in the city.
One such group is the Friends of Senior Citizens, spread all across the city, which is ready to help senior citizens by delivering essentials at their doorsteps. From day-to-day stuff, grocery, medicines and even home-made tiffins, these groups offer everything.
They have even urged elderly people, who face difficulties in commuting amid the lockdown, to approach them.
‘Mostly they want grocery, vegetables and medicines to be collected and delivered to them. In most cases, we call local chemists and wellness stores. But cooked meals are becoming a challenge… because even if restaurants or people are making food, then they are not delivering,’ said Babita Kankariya, a volunteer in Koregaon Park area.
Sonali Rasal, who started the group with another friend, said the biggest need right now is for housing societies to
form volunteer groups. ‘Sometimes, we just drop the parcel at the gate due to restrictions on outsiders coming in. But seniors find it difficult to even come to the gate, so we need more volunteers from within housing societies,’ she said.
Aakash Shah, a student of international relations at Symbiosis, is also working with 60 volunteers to take medicines and groceries to senior citizens under the head of Action for Pune Development. They have served 350 senior citizens in the last seven days.
In some communities, leaders have themselves taken up the responsibility of establishing volunteer networks that will help community members. For example, the Dawoodi Bohra community has established a centralised helpline and volunteer group. ‘Ration and essential supplies were provided to 600 homes. By tomorrow, a helpline number will be declared, on which community members can call for any help, from medical to transport, food and other needs. We are also starting a medical and counselling helpline, which will be manned by community doctors. Today, people are scared to report symptoms fearing quarantine. We need to build their confidence. We will encourage our members to call and report if they have any symptoms or doubts. If needed, they will then be connected to hospital doctors on conference calls,’ said Abdeali bhaisaheb Nooruddin, representative of His Holiness in Camp, Pune.
Even political parties and their volunteers have stepped up to the occasion. Rohan Gaikwad, MNS volunteer from Wanowrie-NIBM Road, has put together a big group of volunteers offering a range of services, from pick up and drop off for groceries and medicines, tiffins for senior citizens and those living alone, and even a sanitised rickshaw complete with masks and hand sanitiser facility. ‘We have catered to hundreds of requests. Since housing societies have restricted the entry of maids, it is becoming difficult for elders to cope. In fact, we are now facing a problem since petrol pumps are not selling fuel and our volunteers need to attend to so many calls,’ he said.
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