Disasters don’t wait, neither should we.
When disaster hits, the domino effect of destruction and displacement within the vulnerable communities, leaves families without homes, food, or hope. For over two decades, Joy of Helping has stood at the forefront of disaster relief, delivering aid with accuracy and compassion. From the ruins of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake to the groundbreaking challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the black fungus outbreak, our journey shows a growing pathway to humanitarian aid, rooted in experiences observed from the field.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake was struck in Bhuj, Gujarat on January 2001, resulting nearly 20,000 fatalities and displacing thousands. Joy of Helping acted immediately, partnering with NGOs like the Child Welfare Trust (CWT) to provide instant relief. We supported the construction of a state-of-the-art school for children with disabilities, enabling that the most vulnerable were not abandoned in the recovery procedures. In 2003, 18,000-square-foot facility was established, which currently serves 70 mentally challenged children, 45 hearing-impaired students, and 35 children with cerebral palsy, offering education, vocational training, and therapies. Our work in Bhuj showed us the importance of long-term recovery with immediate aid, a principle that continues to train and guide us.
Transitioning ahead to 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought India to a pause, with millions facing starvation and poverty. Joy of Helping took a new path to handle this complex catastrophe, distributing food packages, blankets, and mosquito nets to vulnerable communities, particularly women and children. Moreover, we collaborated with local NGOs to provide the means of monthly ration kits to 100 elderly individuals in Bihta Blocks, Bihar, besides bi-monthly healthcare services. The pandemic exposed the instability of vulnerable communities, strengthening our commitment to adaptive, community-led potential solutions. We learned that empowering local partners guarantees aid reaches those who need it most, with clarity and efficiency.
A deadly complication linked to COVID-19 treatment, the black fungus (mucormycosis) outbreak in 2021, raised a new challenge. Provoked by utilisation of steroid and weakened immune systems, the fungal infection afflicted recovering patients, with India reporting over 30,000 cases. Joy of Helping supported emergency financial support initiatives, partnering with hospitals like Vadodara and Rajkot General Hospital, recognised for their expertise in endoscopic surgery. We helped ease the crisis by sponsoring treatment and awareness campaigns, with understanding that immediate action to secondary health threats is as critical as addressing the primary disaster. This experience highlighted the need for early medical interventions in crises.
Since Bhuj, our approach has evolved significantly. Currently, we reinforce sustainable recovery, integrating education, healthcare, and vocational training into our immediate action plan.
For instance, our ongoing support for the Child Welfare Trust’s vocational programs through the “Made By Special” platform empowers specially-disabled artisans to secure a livelihood with strength and dignity. Joy of Helping has timely learned the power of local collaboration, the necessity of adaptability, and the importance of comprehensive plan. Crises require more than temporary fixes, they demand rebuilding lives with dignity. Joy of Helping continue to respond to emergencies, from earthquakes to pandemics, carrying forward the lessons, expertise, dedicating to bring hope and healing to those who need it most.
