Written by:
Anoushka Pinto
In recent years, India has witnessed a surge in community engagement and philanthropic efforts, driven by a desire to address pressing social issues and create meaningful change. From grassroots initiatives to established NGOs, a diverse range of causes are gaining traction on social media platforms, attracting attention, support, and donations from individuals and organisations alike.
Here are some of the top community causes that are capturing hearts and minds:
1. Healthcare and medical support
In India, over 75% of the healthcare infrastructure is concentrated in metro cities, serving only 27% of the total population, leaving the remaining 73% without even basic medical facilities (The Times of India). While quality healthcare treatment is available in urban areas, individuals from remote and underserved parts of the country often cannot afford to travel to metro cities for treatment, making the work of NGOs in the healthcare sector indispensable. From providing life-saving treatments to raising awareness about health issues, these initiatives play a crucial role in transforming lives and communities across the nation.
NGOs focused on providing medical treatment and surgeries to those in need are at the forefront of the battle against illness and disease. Platforms like Milaap have played a crucial role in mobilising resources for medical emergencies, surgeries, and treatment expenses, enabling individuals to make a direct impact on someone’s life.
Improving healthcare infrastructure is a cornerstone of many NGOs’ efforts to enhance access to medical services in underserved communities. Their goals entail building hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centres in rural and remote areas, laying the foundation for better health outcomes and improved quality of life for millions of people.
Prevention is often said to be the best cure, and NGOs focusing on preventive health care and awareness are championing this ethos. From organising educational campaigns and health screenings, to promoting vaccination drives and raising awareness about diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, these organisations are fostering a culture of proactive health care and disease prevention.
Medical community causes you can support through Milaap:
By supporting these causes, whether through donations, social media advocacy, or volunteering, individuals can contribute to positive health outcomes and make a meaningful impact on the well-being of their fellow citizens.
2. Animal rescue, rehabilitation and protection
Animal rescue organisations in India work tirelessly to provide shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation to abandoned, abused, and injured animals, rescuing them from the streets and providing veterinary treatment. With an estimated 80 million homeless cats and dogs in India, according to the 2021 End Pet Homelessness Index (EPH), these NGOs play a crucial role in addressing the issue of pet homelessness and the need for animal rescue efforts.
The EPH Index data (2021) reveals that 82 percent of dogs in India are considered street dogs, underscoring the importance of initiatives aimed at improving their overall welfare. Stray dogs, cats, and other animals living on the streets are vulnerable to various dangers, including starvation, disease, and abuse. Street animal welfare organisations conduct vaccination drives, spaying/neutering programs, and rescue missions to improve the lives of these animals.
India boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, and is recognized as one of the 17 nations hosting around 60 to 70 percent of the world’s biodiversity. According to a study, more than 90,000 animal species can be found in India, but the situation is critical, with over 10,000 species vulnerable, 5,766 species endangered, and approximately 3,947 species critically endangered (GeeksForGeeks.org). NGOs dedicated to wildlife conservation tirelessly work to preserve natural habitats, combat illegal wildlife trade, and raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation.
Animal causes you can support through Milaap:
By fostering a culture of compassion and responsibility towards animals, these initiatives help build more harmonious relationships between humans and animals in communities across India.
3. Elderly care initiatives
India is witnessing an alarming rise in the number of abandoned elderly citizens, with over 100 million elderly individuals, among whom 32% have low life expectations. At least 5% of India’s elderly population have reported experiencing abuse, including physical, sexual, psychological, or financial mistreatment, with higher rates among elderly women and those living in rural areas, according to data from The Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Thus, caring for the elderly, especially those in need of support, has emerged as a significant concern in India, where an increasing number of elderly individuals face neglect, abandonment, and isolation. Initiatives focused on elderly welfare offer a range of services such as shelter, healthcare, nutrition, counselling, and recreational activities to improve their quality of life.
NGOs operating old age homes and senior living facilities provide a safe and supportive environment for elderly individuals, offering them a sense of belonging, companionship, and security. For elderly individuals who have been abandoned or marginalised, rehabilitation and reintegration programs offer a chance at a better life.
Elderly care causes you can support through Milaap:
By supporting elderly care initiatives, and volunteering time and resources, individuals can contribute to creating a society where elderly individuals are valued, respected, and provided with the care and support they need to live with dignity and grace.
4. Learning and education
Access to quality education remains a distant dream for many underprivileged children in India. NGOs dedicated to providing education infrastructure, scholarships, and educational resources are making remarkable strides in bridging this gap.
According to UNESCO, India is home to 8 million children with disabilities, and 45% of them fail to attain literacy, with fewer girls with disabilities in schools than boys. Specially-abled children face unique challenges in accessing education and healthcare services, highlighting the crucial role of NGOs specialising in providing inclusive education, rehabilitation programs, and assistive devices to empower physically and intellectually challenged children.
In India, there exists a significant disparity in literacy rates between rural and urban areas, with rural India reporting a literacy rate of 67.77% compared to 84.11% in urban areas (Mint, 2023). This gap highlights the challenges faced by families residing in slums and rural settings, where access to basic amenities, including education, is often limited. To address this issue, NGOs operating in urban slum areas have prioritised initiatives aimed at providing quality education, establishing schools, and implementing innovative learning programs to uplift children living in impoverished conditions.
Education causes you can support through Milaap:
By supporting initiatives focused on educating underprivileged children, individuals can help break the cycle of poverty, bridge the urban-rural education divide and empower future generations to thrive.
5. Food and meal distribution in impoverished communities
Hunger and malnutrition continue to be pressing issues in India, with a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line and struggling to afford nutritious meals. According to the United Nations, nearly 195 million individuals in India are undernourished, accounting for a quarter of the world’s undernourished population, with approximately 43% of children suffering from chronic undernourishment. The Global Index found that undernourishment among the population had risen drastically, increasing from 14% in 2015 to 16.6% in 2023.
NGOs and community organisations address food insecurity by providing meals to those in need. These initiatives not only alleviate immediate hunger but also promote health, well-being, and dignity among vulnerable populations.
Community kitchens and soup kitchens set up by NGOs and volunteers are essential for providing hot, nutritious meals to those in need, including homeless individuals, migrant workers, and low-income families. These initiatives offer a lifeline to those who would otherwise go hungry and provide a sense of dignity and belonging to recipients.
Mid-day meal programs play a crucial role in addressing child hunger and malnutrition in India. Implemented in partnership with the government and NGOs, these programs provide free or subsidised meals to school children, encouraging regular school attendance and improving nutritional intake.
During times of natural disasters, conflicts, and public health emergencies, hunger relief drives become essential for providing immediate food assistance to affected communities. NGOs and relief organisations mobilise resources and volunteers to distribute food packets, dry rations, and cooked meals to survivors and displaced individuals.
In India, elderly individuals and vulnerable groups such as the homeless, disabled, and impoverished often face heightened challenges when it comes to accessing nutritious meals. Community initiatives extend food distribution programs, ensuring they receive regular, wholesome meals to sustain their health and independence.
Often, for elderly individuals who are homebound or have limited mobility, home-delivered meal services are invaluable lifelines for food and social interaction. Commonly provided by NGOs and volunteer groups, these services involve the preparation and delivery of hot, nutritious meals directly to the homes of elderly recipients.
Food and meal distribution causes you can support through Milaap:
By supporting these initiatives, individuals can make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity and build a more food-secure future for all communities in India.
6. Women’s empowerment and gender equality
The fight for women’s empowerment in India encompasses a broad spectrum of critical issues. NGOs working in this space address the multifaceted challenges faced by women and girls, including barriers to education, lack of access to healthcare, limited economic opportunities, and gender-based discrimination and violence.
India, the second most populated country in the world, comprises nearly 48.5% of the female population and ranks among the fastest-growing nations. Despite this, the women’s literacy rate in India falls below the global standard, with only 66% of females considered literate as of 2021. Particularly in rural areas, over 38% of girls drop out before completing seven years of schooling (Gitnux).
However, education organisations targeting girls play a pivotal role in improving academic outcomes and empowering them to make informed life decisions. By granting access to quality education, these initiatives enable girls to pursue higher education and career opportunities, fostering economic independence and social mobility. In doing so, they challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
According to a report by The National Crime Records Bureau, 4,45,256 rape cases were registered across the country in 2022, highlighting a concerning rise in crimes against children, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and cybercrime. Meanwhile, the National Family Health Survey states that 8.5 percent of women report being victims of sexual violence at least once in their lifetime, with evidence suggesting that only 1 percent of victims report the crime to the police. Thus, the 8.5% prevalence of sexual violence should be considered only a small fraction of actual victims, impacting an estimated 27.5 million women.
Despite the high number of reported cases, the conviction rate remains very low, standing at 27.2% in 2018 and 27.8% in 2019 (Rishihood University). In response to these alarming statistics, NGOs and advocacy groups dedicated to supporting victims of sexual assault and rape have emerged, raising awareness, providing counseling and legal aid, and advocating for justice. These organisations aim to break the silence surrounding these crimes and create a supportive environment for victims to come forward and seek help. Additionally, they offer rehabilitation, vocational training, and economic empowerment programs to help victims rebuild their lives.
According to a Statista report, the number of acid attack cases reported across India in 2022 totaled 202, with an additional 71 cases of attempted acid attacks. Figures from the National Crime Record Bureau indicate that the number of reported acid violence cases remains around 200 annually. Globally, it’s reported that 80 percent of acid attack survivors are women, and sadly, 60 percent of cases go unreported, with 76 percent of the attacks committed by a person known to the victim.
The effects of acid attacks on the skin are profound, often resulting in blindness and permanent scars, causing immediate and devastating harm. However, the scars aren’t solely physical, as such violence also inflicts deep psychological wounds, leading to conditions like PTSD and loss of self-identity.
NGOs and advocacy groups dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault and rape are tirelessly working to raise awareness, provide counseling and legal aid, advocate for justice, and create a supportive environment for survivors to come forward and seek help. They provide rehabilitation, vocational training, and economic empowerment programs to assist survivors in rebuilding their lives.
Addressing the unique health needs of women and girls, maternal health, reproductive rights, and access to essential healthcare services is another critical aspect of women’s empowerment in India.
A 2019 report states that about 52% of India’s 353 million women of reproductive age want to avoid pregnancy, and an estimated 45% of pregnancies are unintended. Additionally, an estimated 14 million women of reproductive age in India do not receive needed treatment for curable STIs, contributing to preventable deaths, including those related to pregnancy complications and unsafe abortion. The fifth National Family Health Survey (2019-2021) revealed that around 90% of women with 12 or more years of schooling used safe period products, indicating the importance of education and access to resources in addressing these health challenges.
NGOs working in this field provide access to healthcare resources and information, menstrual hygiene products, education about reproductive health, and advocate for policies to ensure gender equality.
Women empowerment causes you can support through Milaap:
By supporting these causes for women and girls, individuals can break down systemic barriers, promote gender equality, and build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
7. Disaster relief and humanitarian aid
NGOs providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid play a crucial role in providing assistance to affected communities, in the face of natural disasters, conflicts, and humanitarian crises. These organisations provide a wide range of services, including:
Mobilising resources and personnel to provide immediate assistance to disaster-affected areas, including search and rescue operations, medical aid, and distribution of emergency supplies.
Supporting long-term recovery efforts by facilitating rehabilitation programs, rebuilding infrastructure, and providing livelihood support to affected communities.
Offering counselling, trauma support, and psychosocial services to individuals and families affected by disasters, helping them cope with the emotional impact of their experiences.
Food aid ensures that individuals and families have access to essential nutrition when local food supplies may be disrupted or unavailable. These efforts often involve the distribution of ready-to-eat meals, food kits containing non-perishable items, and hot meals prepared on-site.
Raising awareness about disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and humanitarian principles through community outreach, education programs, and social media campaigns.
Disaster relief and humanitarian aid NGOs work tirelessly to provide timely and effective assistance to disaster-affected communities and rely on the support of donors and volunteers to continue their vital work. By supporting NGOs dedicated to these causes, individuals can play a crucial role in providing assistance and support to vulnerable communities affected by disasters.
The diverse range of community causes gaining traction in India reflects the growing spirit of philanthropy and social responsibility among individuals and organisations. By supporting these causes, whether through donations, social media advocacy, or volunteering, individuals can contribute to positive social change and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. With crowdfunding platforms like Milaap facilitating crowdfunding and resource mobilisation, anyone can be a changemaker and play a role in building a brighter future for India.
In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.
Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.
Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.
For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.
