Putting Health and Empowerment at the heart of the Migrant Support Project

For migrant workers in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, support no longer arrives as a distant promise or an emergency response after harm is done. Through Caritas India’s Pravasi Bandhu program, assistance reaches migrants where they live and work, offering practical solutions that protect health, strengthen awareness, and restore dignity for families constantly on the move.

In early January 2026, Manav Vikas Samiti, a partner organisation of Caritas India, implemented two closely linked initiatives in Baddi that addressed the most urgent challenges migrant communities face: limited access to healthcare and lack of reliable information on safe migration. Designed with the realities of migrant life in mind, these interventions ensured that mobility did not become a barrier to wellbeing.

On 8 January 2026, a special vaccination camp was organised at the Migrant Resource Center (MRC) office in collaboration with Baddi Civil Hospital, ASHA workers, frontline health staff, and the Pravasi Bandhu team. The camp served 45 migrant beneficiaries, including pregnant women and newborn babies. Essential immunisations and maternal care services were provided, responding to gaps that often arise when migrants move frequently and miss routine health services.

For many families, the camp was the first structured healthcare support they had received since arriving in Baddi. Long working hours, unfamiliar systems, and a lack of documentation often prevent migrants from accessing public health facilities. By bringing services directly to a trusted community space, Pravasi Bandhu reduced these barriers and ensured timely protection for mothers and infants, helping prevent avoidable illnesses and complications.

Just two days earlier, on 6 January 2026, an awareness session was conducted at the Tempo Union near Sikka Hotel, reaching 55 migrant workers. The session was organised jointly by Manav Vikas Samiti and Glenmark NGO and featured a street play performed by students from Bhojia Nursing College. Using storytelling and performance, the play communicated key messages on health, hygiene, and safe migration practices.

The street play format proved effective in capturing attention and encouraging dialogue. Migrant workers related easily to the situations portrayed and engaged in discussions about workplace safety, health-seeking behaviour, and the risks they face during migration. The interactive nature of the session ensured that information was not only shared but also understood and remembered.

Both initiatives reflected the core approach of the Pravasi Bandhu program, building solutions through partnership and community presence. Civil hospital staff, ASHA workers, NGOs, educational institutions, volunteers, and migrant leaders worked together to respond to real needs on the ground. This convergence strengthened trust and ensured services were delivered with sensitivity and respect.

Caritas India’s Pravasi Bandhu program continues to focus on creating safe pathways for migration while addressing immediate vulnerabilities. By combining preventive healthcare with awareness and engagement, the program moves beyond short-term relief to long-term protection.

The efforts in Baddi show what becomes possible when systems adapt to people, rather than expecting people to adapt to rigid systems. For migrant families, these initiatives mean healthier children, informed choices, and reassurance that they are not invisible. Through Pravasi Bandhu, Caritas India reinforces a simple but powerful message: migration should not come at the cost of health, safety, or dignity.