Daijiworld Media Network - Alappuzha (SD)

Alappuzha, Apr 8: From individuals to organizations stepping out to help people in need during this lockdown, a church in Alappuzha in Kerala decided to donate money to the fishermen community who were worst affected. Technically, the money was being collected for the church renovation.

Fr Thomas, a priest of the church said, "There are 530 families here and with the money collected for church renovation I will be able to support each family with Rs 500. I thought at this time supporting them is more important than renovating the church."

Solomon, a fisherman said that they were solely surviving on the free ration provided by the government since the lockdown was imposed.

"Since last month we have no work and the lockdown has made the situation difficult for us. At this time getting Rs 500 is like getting Rs 5 lac," said another fisherman Yousheph, indicating the sufferings of the families without work.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday asserted that India has 5,194 cases with 4,643 cases reported to be active while 401 people have either recovered or discharged.

In the last 24 hours, the ministry reported 10 new deaths taking the death toll to 149.