Three lakh Kudumbashree teams to keep ‘third wave’ at bay

Initiative, whose objective goes beyond COVID-19, will impart scientific info, extend assistance to 45 lakh families

Kerala may shortly have over three lakh Kudumbashree Response Teams (KRTs), a community-driven initiative at the level of Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs), covering over 45 lakh families to blunt the impact of any potential third wave of the pandemic. The Statewide initiative has been undertaken as a COVID Mission project. It will be a continuous programme since the larger objective goes beyond COVID-19 and aims at equipping the community to face future epidemics, disasters, or natural calamities. The five-member KRTs for each NHG are likely to be in place by July-August. They will be tasked with creating awareness based on scientific knowledge and extending assistance to the needy in coordination with various agencies, including local bodies.