For weeks, Lavanya DJ watched as COVID-19 cases surged in India and began overwhelming the health care system. As calls for foreign aid and donations to non-profits and non-governmental organizations increased alongside the infection rate, she began compiling a list of smaller groups on the ground seeking help.

One reason DJ chose to highlight small organizations and mutual aid groups is that many are already working with marginalized people who lack access to basic medical care or even food. By donating directly to people already in the country and working with vulnerable communities, you can bypass roadblocks that larger international organizations may be facing.

Click "Listen" in the play to hear more, and to find a list of on-the-ground efforts, head to Gothamist.