When the news of the 21-day lockdown came in, thousands of migrant workers from big cities wanted to return back to their villages. With a loss of livelihood, shelter and the inability to afford even a day’s meal, some started their journey on foot. The poor and homeless, who call the streets their home, were also left confused and vulnerable.
In order to ensure food and a roof over their heads during these difficult times, relief camps have been set up across the country to help the homeless, the migrant workers and their families. The Maharashtra government itself has set up 262 relief camps across the state.
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Relief Camp At Versova Provides Shelter And Food To 280+ People
At one such relief camp in Versova, Mumbai, hundreds of migrants and homeless have found shelter amid this crisis. Set up by Harmony Foundation and run by the State Home Guards and civil defense volunteers, the camp provides 3 meals a day, clean mattresses, bedsheets, mosquito repellants, mobile toilets and floor fans to its 280+ inhabitants. Regular temperature checks are conducted. And all rules of social distancing are adhered to, while gathering for food, and even while sleeping.
Home guards and Civil defense officials ensure their safety round the clock. However, what is most remarkable about this camp is the availability of a therapist on its premises. Making therapy accessible for a majority of whom the COVID-19 crisis has brought a grinding halt in life is indeed extraordinary.
Updates from our Versova relief camp. We are also trying to organise for mosquito tents, portable phone charging stations so that the migrants we are hosting can stay in touch with their families.
Service cantered around equality, dignity and compassion is our work ethos. pic.twitter.com/mjiSXLz6jG— civildefensemah (@civildefensemah) April 6, 2020
Do Your Bit – Donate To Chief Minister’s Relief Fund
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has appealed to the people to help the government tackle the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Donations can be sent to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The money from these funds will be used to provide meals and sanitation products to people in distress as well as to help those on the frontlines of this coronavirus pandemic.
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