In March 2020, as the country went into a nation-wide lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of informal workers were stuck at their workplaces and several thousands tried to make way to their place of origin (hometowns and villages in other States or within the same State), leading to an unprecedented crisis. In cities, civil society groups and NGOs began relief efforts. We note here some of the initiatives that INHAF was a part of:

Surakshit Safar Sewa

This was an initiative of INHAF and MASHAL to help stranded urban poor, migrant labourers and those in need, to travel back to their respective homes during the Covid Pandemic lockdown. 

There were three essential parts to the support provided at this time: One, was to provide relief to distressed workers and city administration workers in Pune in the form of ration kits, PPE kits and cooked meals. Second, was to set up a helpline to build a database of those wanting to return to their villages, provide an opportunity to ventilate anxieties and to ensure hope was not lost. Third, as the train fare was not waived off, those for whom travel was arranged were provided with tiffins and hygiene kits for the journey including for pre and post natal mothers, mothers with toddlers, senior citizens, ailing family members and students for needy families.

Supportive humane police machinery  was the most critical element in this journey, especially all the police officers and the administration of KDMC and Thane. In addition, individuals and organisations such as Global Rights Foundation – GRF and its volunteers sustained the migrant’s morale through meetings, interactions and ration kit distribution. Committed volunteers reached  out to community leaders, gathered details of migrants to support their  travel, patiently responded  to their queries, helped the police to control and monitor the  crowds  and distribute dry snacks and water as the people  waited at the bus depot for more than 5 hours  and engaged in distribution of dry ration kits.

Relief work in Ahmedabad

CISHAA or the Citizens for Shelter Alliance in Ahmedabad (a coalition of organisations) initiated by INHAF and other organisations including Aajeevika Bureau, Centre for Development, Centre for Labour Research and Action, Childline Ahmedabad worked together to collect donations and provide assistance to migrant workers, slum dwellers and urban poor in need of help during the lockdown.