Help for Haryana: Aman Ki Pehel
Today we have an update on the work of Aman Ki Pehel, whose members have been delivering rations to Haryana’s Faridabad district in two settlements of daily wage workers. So far AKP has been able to provide 2 weeks of ration to 300 families in two locations.
The first place is a Bara Quarter Basti, home to about 70 families of bamboo artisans, garbage sorters, rickshaw pullers or wage labourers. The second is Shiv Durga Vihar. Here too, there are mostly daily wage laborers who are engaged in construction or work in hotels, dhabas, in a sewing factory and so on. Today, they don’t even have daily wage work because of the lockdown. Lacking any savings, they are in a vulnerable position. AKP is making lists of families in each area and providing as many families as possible with rations (around 570); they are currently seeking to reach more families (over 1000 in total).
Masks: AKP has also ordered 360 inexpensive masks for these areas. Each mask is priced at ₹ 14/piece. They have been able to purchase these with the help of a partner, and have given these masks to every individual who goes out to work in the 12 quarter basti. For Shiv Durga Vihar, the plan is to distribute masks to those people who tie a dirty cloth on their mouths, or to those who are not wearing masks at all. They require more resources to give masks to everyone.
Government support: AKP is trying to contact both district and state level officials in Faridabad, Haryana. Their volunteers have written letters to the Collector and tweeted about the issues. They have even reached out to the Chief Minister. One of their ultimate objectives is to ensure the responsibility of the government and they are trying to work in that direction. They have been putting in efforts for those people who don’t have Jan-Dhan Yojana accounts, thus trying to expand the reach of the government’s aid and schemes, targeting the people who really need them
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