Emergency relief support for vulnerable Dalit & Adivasi families in Madhya Pradesh
Under the EU Supported Muktee Project
The country-wide lockdowns enforced to curb the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic have had devastating consequences for the lakhs of migrant workers stranded in big cities such as Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. Overnight men and women working as contractual labour on construction sights, in manufacturing units, small restaurants and dhabas, tea shops, those working as domestic workers and rikshaw pullers have lost their livelihood. With little or no access to social security, food supplies, proper sanitation and no place to stay, these people remain extremely vulnerable during this crisis.
Under the EU supported ‘Muktee’ project, implemented across 4 Districts of Madhya Pradesh, Traidcraft Exchange along with its partner Jansahas is working with Dalit and Adivasi families at risk of bondage and slavery.
Over the last month, our teams have been closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable Dalit and Adivasi families in the region. A rapid assessment of the situation of 3196 migrant families revealed certain key challenges and areas of urgent action.
- Migrant workers currently face a greater risk of contacting the COVID 19 Virus due
to poor access to sanitation facilities and nutritious food. 2. Due to the acute shortage of food supplies, several households have resorted to taking loans to meet their daily food needs. This puts them at severe risk of forced and bonded labour in the near future. 3. While the central and state governments in India have declared various schemes to support vulnerable workers during this difficult period, these schemes have not reached communities as they remain unaware of how to avail these benefits.
A free helpline number for workers in crisis established under the project received over 7000 calls in the first 25 days. As an immediate relief measure, our on-ground teams have supported 240 vulnerable families with food supplies for 45 days along with a basic safety kit containing masks and sanitizers.