The Fund is a collective of citizen volunteers that was set up on 24 March, 2020, to help ensure that the COVID-19 lockdown does not unduly affect the well-being of disadvantaged communities in Tamil Nadu, notably in-state and out-of-state migrant workers, daily wage earners and historically marginalised communities such as manual scavengers and transgender persons. Born out of another campaign collective -- Save Chennai Beaches Campaign -- that was set up to challenge a beach expressway proposal that threatened the coastal ecology and fisher livelihoods, the fund is entirely volunteer driven and runs solely on individual contributions.
The collective’s volunteers work on two parallels – one, to reach out to stranded migrant workers to assess their location, needs and numbers and connect them to sources of financial assistance, dry rations, and cooked food. In instances where workers complain of wage arrears, harassment on account of rent demand by landlord or lodge-owners or lack of government assistance for ration or food, the Collective intimates the relevant government department and assists them in resolving the issues.
The team has serviced just over 800 distress calls representing ~14000 migrant workers across 35 districts in Tamil Nadu. In 33% of the cases the team has provided direct financial support when efforts to alert government authorities and employers have failed to elicit assistance, and workers have no recourse to Amma Canteens or free rations due to various circumstances.
Latest Update: As of 25/04/2020, 4758 migrant workers in 212 different locations have received direct financial aid amounting to $15,033 (Rs. 11,27,445) largely as ration allowance, but in few cases for gas cylinder/kerosene purchase, or medical expenses. These efforts have sponsored an estimated 90,756 meals.
1.4% of these beneficiaries are visitors to TN who have come for medical treatment and are unable to return home; the rest are workers who have migrated to TN for the sake of livelihood and subsist as daily wagers (13%) or employed in construction (24%), fishing (11%), carpentry (7%), factories (7%), garment industry (5%) and 47 other occupations. Migrant populations directly supported have originated from 14 states across India, namely, Jharkhand (53%), W.Bengal (24%), Bihar (9%), Odisha (8%), Andhra Pradesh (3%), and 3% from 9 other states.
In addition, daily wagers native to Tamil Nadu and homeless persons have received ration/cooked food/financial support amounting to $4569 (Rs. 3,42,678). These beneficiaries are largely located in Ennore, Perumbakkam, Tirusulam, Anakaputhur, Besant Nagar (Chennai) and Nagercoil. These efforts have sponsored an estimated 23,918 meals. Rural & Tribal Outreach in Annaikatti, Ponneri, Thiruporur and Theni has amounted to $4588 (Rs. 3,44,150), benefiting 4,625 people, and sponsoring an estimated 21,663 meals. Daily Wager, Rural & Tribal Outreach have together led to the purchase and distribution of 29.6 tonnes of rations.
The collective has provided 3.5 tonnes of rations and 1.6 tonnes of vegetables to GCC Shelters for Urban Homeless as well as the RDO Chengelpet for local distribution to the needy, thereby helping feed ~20,000 people through provisioning 31,500 meals.
Other initiatives include the purchase of 655 masks and sponsoring of 3,500 meals for healthcare workers, 11,800 meals for senior citizens and smaller outreach efforts supporting transgender persons and children in Urur Olcott Kuppam.
All together, as of 25/04/20 the collective has disbursed $32,667 (Rs. 2.45 million), sponsored an estimated 190,000 meals, benefiting 34,000 people.
For more details contact: beachcampaign@gmail.com or vettiver.collective@gmail.com