The corona virus pandemic not just changed the way world functioned but also brought a season of starvation and fear for a large community, mainly for the “migrants”.  The lockdown brought a sudden stand still in the lives of migrants across the nation. Both central and state governments joined hands with civil societies, corporates, volunteers to fight the crisis as one unit.

“This pandemic has re-instated my trust in humanity”, says Ms Alma Xalxo, Caritas Samaritan, as she along with the rest have volunteered themselves in their maximum capacities to reach out to fellow humans. The spirit of volunteerism has seen maximum rise, with young and old bringing out innovative techniques of contributing their skills, talents, expertise and resources as volunteers.

Among the numerous efforts made by all state governments, the Delhi government under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister, Delhi, Manish Sisodia constituted a SOS team. It comprised of enthusiastic volunteers and civil societies supporting the mission of reaching out to maximum number of migrant populations in Delhi. While the Delhi government has expanded its food security programme using Ration Cards and E-Coupons that cover a whopping 1 crore residents of Delhi yet discovering of discover pockets of hunger continue through community outreach. These families are ones who do not have a ration card or an Aadhar card and are on the other side of the literacy and digital divide.

“It’s been more than a month I am engaged in the SOS team, it is refreshing to contribute my bit to relieve a fellow human’s hunger”, says Kaushal, Caritas Samaritan after being managing the end-to-end services successfully.

The goal of this team of Samaritans is to connect needy families to government ration schemes and send an SOS kit to their doorstep. Delhi Caritas Samaritans have joined the team to ensure the goal is achieved.  Since April 3rd Caritas Samaritans along with other team members have been able to help 20 lakh individuals with cooked food, and 37,000 families with ration kits through doorstep delivery. Caritas Samaritans are engaged in end-to-end management of ration kit deliveries. The process involves verification of SOS calls received at the government helplines, assigning a point of contact with the migrant group/community, ensuring the ration stores are contacted, required quantity of food materials are packed, necessary transport is arranged to pick and drop the packets and lastly getting the SOS kits delivered at the door step of the needy.

“Lockdown and Corona virus gave me the opportunity to be a Caritas Samaritan and volunteer to my maximum capacity”, says Ms Vanshika, Caritas Samaritan as she manages the call verification process for the team.

Caritas India’s mission of reaching the most marginalised is being realised through the efforts of each Caritas Samaritan. Caritas India has strongly believed in the power of volunteerism to be a co-traveller in its journey of transformation.