Responding to Crisis: Relief Efforts for Orphaned Children in South Tripura

This report highlights the support provided to three orphaned children from Birendra Roaja village, Sabroom, South Tripura. Their parents, Bayan Kumar Tripura and Rajimala Tripura, who were Jhum cultivators, tragically committed suicide due to extreme poverty exacerbated by the COVID-19 lockdown. This incident left their three children, including two girls and one boy, in a dire situation without sufficient food and care.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, many families in our region faced severe economic hardships. Specially, for their family, the inability to earn daily wages led to extreme distress. Faced with insurmountable challenges, the parents took their own lives, leaving their children orphaned. The children were subsequently taken in by their grandparents, who struggled to provide for them, often alternating days with and without food.

Upon learning about the incident through one of our local news channels, Swrangchati Channel, our team conducted a thorough investigation to understand the root causes of this tragedy. On August 5, 2020, in the morning, we visited the village with essential relief materials and stood by them firsthand. Also had a detailed discussion with grandparents and local residents, our discussion was mainly focused on immediate and long-term support strategies for the children.

In response to the urgent needs of these children, we provided them a regular supply of rice and other essential food items to ensure the children did not go hungry. New clothes were distributed to meet their basic needs. To facilitate their continued education, we supplied notebooks, pens, pencils, and other necessary school supplies.

To ensure that the tragic incident does not hamper the future of the children, our team aim to provide further support and resources to help the children build a brighter future and lead fulfilling lives.

Our intervention has helped stabilize the immediate situation for the orphaned children of Birendra Roaja village. While we have made significant strides in providing basic needs and educational materials, ongoing support will be essential to ensure their long-term well-being and development. We remain committed to standing by these children and supporting them through future challenges.

We extend our gratitude to Swrangchati Channel for bringing this matter to light and to the local community for their cooperation. Our collective efforts have made a meaningful difference in the lives of these children.