As the coronavirus pandemic began to spread last year, charities in Kashmir lacked a key tool that was available to most others in the country — high-speed mobile Internet.

The Centre had instituted an Internet shutdown after its decision on August 5, 2019, to end Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status. The Internet blackout eased in some places last year and by the time high-speed mobile Internet was restored statewide on February 5, it was the longest shutdown in India’s history.

“Even sending a message on WhatsApp was impossible, not to mention uploading photos or videos on social media,” said Bilal Khan, a senior staff member of Athrout, a Kashmir-based non-profit that provides medical help and food to Covid-19-hit families.

“Our volunteers were not able to identify those who needed help,” said Khan, adding that the organisation was unable to use social media for creating awareness of the pandemic or raising funds.

This time around, as the state struggles with a deadly second wave of the pandemic along with the rest of the country, the scenario is totally different, Khan told Reuters.

“Now, we are using social media effectively,” he said.

“We post at least four or five times a day, sending out videos which get a lot of traction,” he said, adding that YouTube, Twitter and Instagram are particularly useful.

Besides affecting health services and contact tracing last year, the shutdown hampered the efforts of non-profit groups such as Khan’s, even as charities and citizens nationwide turned to social media for everything from oxygen cylinders to drugs.

“We couldn’t have done what we are doing if we were not able to utilise social media,” said Mohammad Afaaq Sayeed, director of the charity Social Reforms Organisation-Kashmir, which has helped more than 10,000 Covid-19 patients so far.

“This year, our job became much easier because of 4G mobile Internet. Otherwise, we would have to use more laborious methods like going to peoples’ homes, which would have consumed a lot of time,” he said.

The organisation, which helped supply oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, ventilation machines and ambulances, as well as food kits with essentials such as lentils and oil, was also able to raise funds through social media, he said.

Some charities, including Athrout, found the especially helpful in raising funds during the holy month of Ramadan this year, said Bashir Nadvi, the charity’s chairman.

“Muslims like to do charity during Ramazan,” he said.

“When they saw the videos of our work on social media and which were shared by other people as well, it motivated them — including overseas Kashmiris — to donate.”

Access to social media has also helped small businesses thrive — and help those affected by the coronavirus.

Rayees Ahmad Dar, who started his small food business Tiffin Aaw in February last year, said he began delivering food to Covid-19 patients and quarantined families at reduced rates after high-speed was restored.

“When word spread on social media, people started coming forward to support me — with donations and also as volunteers — and we are able to supply an average of 700 food packets a day,” he said.

Organisations like Mehram, a non-profit started by three Kashmiri women last year, say they are also better able to help women deal with domestic violence during the pandemic.

Mehram has offered legal and other assistance to an average of three women per week during the Covid-19 lockdowns, as cases of domestic violence against women surged worldwide.

Mehram started a WhatsApp group to reach out to and support women suffering from domestic violence, said staff member Arshie Qureshi.

“Recently, one of the most satisfying things for us was rescuing a woman who was locked up at her in-laws’ home and was being subjected to repeated violence,” she said.

“One of her close relatives got in touch with Mehram through WhatsApp — which would not have been possible before.”