The Russian organisation Nochlezhka launched the initiative You Are Not Alone, by placing sets of essentials on the streets of St. Petersburg and Moscow. The sets include food and hygiene items and can be used by anyone who is in need and cannot afford basic supplies during the outbreak of the pandemic. (The consideration is to focus their actions toward the homeless population).

The organisation encouraged residents of St. Petersburg and Moscow to join the You Are Not Alone campaign, in leaving plastic bags with food and hygiene products in places where homeless people could find them. The items donated include items such as tea, instant noodles, wet wipes, and socks in a transparent plastic bag. The organisation orient  the residents that are willing to help to attach a note to the bag. They specify to not place it on the floor (to not be confused with trash), and also  not to put food in glassware nor add perishables to the sets.

The Help Nearby is a joint action design and distributed 14,000 medical masks and 8,500 pairs of gloves – as part of personal protective equipment provided by Yandex – to other charitable organizations helping the homeless in 14 charitable organizations in 13 Russian cities. At the beginning of the pandemic, the lack of personal protection at points of food distribution was an impediment for the social workers. Thanks to the initiative, they are helping at least 150 people daily, who regularily come to food distribution points.

Learn more about the initiatives at:

https://homeless.ru/news/nochlezhka_peredala_kollegam_iz_regionov_maski_i_perchatki_podarennye_kompaniey_yandeks/