The COVID 19 pandemic is the biggest challenge that the human race is facing now, after having touched every community in every nation. The health emergency has caused the institutions of work, education, finance, and domestic lives to come to a halt, and tremendously affecting nearly every aspect of people’s lives.

India’s Corona curve is still steep, and the number of cases has started increased day by day. According to the records, India has crossed the 6,000-mark as the 21-day complete lockdown is set to end on April 14. The total active COVID 19 cases in India are 6039. While 515 people have been cured or discharged, 206 coronavirus patients have died, and one has migrated. The total number of coronavirus cases is 6,412, according to the latest data provided by the Union Health Ministry.

As the pandemic continues, wreaking sickness and increasing death tolls, Caritas India has been committed to serving the needy by actively engaging in relief and awareness work and supporting the most marginalized. The situation poses a major threat to the most vulnerable section of society, especially those who cannot afford social distancing- the only solution that can help people stay safe. There is a growing demand for financial and material support for households hardest hit by the loss of income and resulting strains.

In this background, Caritas India is reaching and supporting communities whose vulnerabilities have drastically increased like migrant and daily wage earners, transgenders, widows, elders, persons with disabilities and historically marginalized communities by providing food kits, cooked food through community kitchens, face masks, sanitation kits, and sanitizers, night shelters, and psychosocial support. While such initiatives reflect the unique and critical roles played by any faith organization, it also influences values, attitudes, behaviors, and actions, that affect the development and wellbeing of the most marginalized population of the world.

Caritas India in partnership with various diocesan social service societies and partners has collaborated with various government and non-government stakeholders to serve the poor and needy in the dark times of the corona pandemic. The following table provides the information regarding COVID19 response last week- Last week observed many relief and support activities across various parts of India, and we are planning to reach out to the most vulnerable. Through active support of partners, stakeholders and volunteers, Caritas India has been fighting COVID19 in its best capacity.

COVID 19 has exacerbated the vulnerability of migrants in our country. Most of the internal migrants work in bigger cities on daily wages to earn their livelihood. Loss of livelihood and the spread of this pandemic has put these migrants into greater risk. The socio-economic status of these migrants negatively impacts their ability to take precautionary measures against Covid19. It is very important to address the needs and protection of migrants as they are more susceptible due to their weaker health and financial status.