According to new guidelines released by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, NGOs can now distribute dry goods and cooked food to the vulnerable members of society.

However, they must register themselves with the welfare department a day before their operation.

There are also new restrictions in place. Now they can only send up to 2 people for the distribution work, and must wear face masks, gloves, and practice social distancing during the process.

Previously the government banned NGOs in distributing aid directly to their recipients, and asked them to send goods to dedicated centres.

The inconsistencies in the SOPs were confusing and frustrating to NGOs that have been working on the ground for years in helping the underprivileged.