Even as the number of COVID-19 cases rises in India, poor urban communities remain the most vulnerable. Across the country, the residents of slums, unauthorized colonies and resettlement colonies continue to gather in large numbers to collect water from tankers, use community toilets or access household rations to stem the tide of economic insecurity during the lockdown.

Most of the residents of these communities engage in informal labour and have suffered a significant blow to their livelihood. With no clear idea of how long the lockdown will last, these communities have come to depend on the public distribution system for subsidized food essentials. The ration shops are located in the communities, and residents have been crowding around it in the hope to collect basic necessities for their families. These gatherings, however, can be detrimental at this time due to the nature of the virus.

Mahila Housing Trust’s Community Action Group (CAG) leaders, across cities, have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the community during this time. They have mobilized to build awareness on the importance of hygiene and social distancing, even within these congested areas. Given their context, the need to be vigilant about social distancing is paramount, and these women leaders are actively promoting these steps.