04/28/2020 India (International Christian Concern) – Indian Christian missionaries are traveling long distances to spread awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic among India’s tribal people living in inaccessible villages. Many of these local volunteers are working among rural villages located in India’s badly effected state of Madhya Pradesh.
According to UCA News, some 150 volunteers, including 45 priests, are visiting Gond and Baiga tribal communities within the Jabalpur Diocese of Madhya Pradesh. These volunteers are informing communities about the COVID-19 pandemic and teaching them ways to prevent infection. According to these volunteers, many villagers have not even heard of COVID-19.
“Of course this is done with proper written permission from government officials,” Father Thankachan Jose told UCA News. “This includes police to avoid any confusion.”
On March 25, India’s central government imposed a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19. According to many observers, India’s lockdown is among the strictest and widest ranging in the world.
Tribal communities often live lives cut off from mainstream society in India. According to UCA News, this isolation was increased when the government imposed the national lockdown, stopping all modes of transportation.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
