Covid-19

HDRC’s Response To COVID-19

COVID 19 has affected millions globally. In India and Gujarat also the spread has increased. A nationwide lock down was announced by the Government of India to control the spread of the virus. This resulted in hardships to many groups especially the vulnerable and marginalised groups.

HDRC decided to reach out to the vulnerable groups affected by COVID 19. A quick assessment on the ground level situation was done with the support of the village collective, local leaders, volunteers and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in our intervention area. It was clear that daily wage earners, small and marginal farmers, migrant workers, single women, women headed households, elderly, people with disabilities and migrant workers need urgent support. Our rural and urban team immediately prepared a list of most vulnerable families from all our intervention areas. Keeping in view the severity of the disease and the condition of the marginalized community, HDRC took the following initiatives:

Covid-19

Immediate relief in the form of dry ration kits and hygiene kits to the affected families and cooked food to the migrant laborers, wage laborers and other needy in collaboration with the local administration was provided.

  • 1908 kits distributed to single women, women, elderly, migrant workers, wage labour, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups in Ahmedabad City
  • 2155 kits distributed in 12 talukas of Banaskantha district to single women, widows, elderly, migrant workers who have returned to their native villages and Tribals
  • 1685 kits distributed in Junagadh, Rajkot, Gir Somanth and Porbandar Districts of Suarashtra Region of Gujarat to women, elderly, person with disabilities, agriculture labour especially from Dalit community
  • 500 kits distributed in Khambhat and Tarapur talukas of Anand District to minorities and families from Valmiki Community
  • 430 kits distributed in Jhalod, Fatepura and Dahod districts of Dahod District to single women, widows, elderly, migrant workers who have returned to their native villages and Tribals
  • 730 kits distributed in Meghraj taluka of Aravalli Districts to single women, widows, elderly, migrant workers who have returned to their native villages and Tribals
  • 100 kits distributed in Jhambugoda taluka to women and 250 kits in Kalol taluka to families of industrial wage labour of Panchmahals district.

Very often vulnerable groups are not aware of their rights and entitlements in a disaster situation. Therefore, HDRC took up the initiative to share information and create awareness among those affected by COVID19

  • Created a poster on how to be safe during COVID 19 and helpline to contact in case of possible infection
  • Translated into Gujarati and simplified the COVID 19 related schemes /policies announce by the Central and State Government
  • Circulated this information widely through WhatsApp groups
  • Developed awareness material on roles and responsibilities of ANM, ASHA worker and Anganwadi worker and how to deal with children under COVID 19 in Gujarati
  • This material has been printed in the form of a booklet and is being circulated

Very often during relief and rehabilitation the marginalised communities get excluded from the process and their ‘Voice’ is not heard. HDRC has initiated a process of inclusive monitoring in all the intervention villages to ensure that the marginalised communities get access to their entitlements and their needs are addressed. A format has been developed for this.

HDRC is working in coordination with the local administration in all the intervention talukas and districts. The needs of COVID19 affected families are highlighted. In coordination with the panchayat and local administration HDRC has been able to reach out to the vulnerable and the marginalised groups to provide immediate food and hygiene material. The local administration and Panchayats are supported in implementation ofschemes and packaged announced by the Government and compliance of guidelines at the local level and improving the

HDRC along with other Civil Society Organisations have been advocating at different levels to provide support to COVID 19 affected vulnerable and marginalised groups.

  • As part of Inter Agency Group (IAG) Gujarat advocated for providing transportation for migrant workers to return back to their native villages.
  • HDRC as part of Citizens for Shelter and Housing Alliance Ahmedabad (CISHAA) a platform working on housing and shelter submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Gujarat regarding adequate and urgent response to the conditions of the migrant labour community and other vulnerable groups in urban and industrial areas of Gujarat in the wake of the COVID 19 lockdown.
  • Supported HRLN to file a petition in the High Court of Gujarat on domestic workers, street vendors, migrant works, sewerage workers and their families who are dependent on their daily earnings to provide them food security, health care, shelter through government systems and mechanisms. The court passed an order asking the state to file an action taken report in 2 weeks.
  • As part of Dalit Human Rights Defender (DHRD) network coordinated with CSOs in other states of India to ensure that migrant workers and other vulnerable families stranded on the way are supported by the local organisation.
  • Networked with CSOs in Gujarat to enable food and hygiene kit distribution in districts where HDRC does not have a direct presence.

Photos at glance showing our intervention with various target groups

  • Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives
  • America India Foundation
  • Isabel Martin Foundation
  • Misereor
  • Alboan and Province Development Office, Gujarat
  • Quest Alliance
  • Habitat for Humanity India
  • CISHAA
  • Civil Society Organisations
  • Local Community
  • Panchayats
  • Local Administration
  • Friends and Family