India’s homeless unseen victims of pandemic
Munawar Zaman
Press TV, New Delhi
Millions of homeless people in India are left to fend for themselves with little or no support from the government, making it nearly impossible to gauge the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the community.
The COVID-19 has reached unprecedented levels in India, with figures now hovering near the six-million mark.
The surge has raised concerns for the homeless, who are the most vulnerable to all sorts of calamities, diseases and natural disasters.
There are reportedly close to two million homeless in India, of whom about one million live in urban areas fighting to survive the pandemic on their own.
Experts say India has no official data on the actual figures of the homeless, making it nearly impossible to measure the impact of the pandemic on the destitute community.
Before the outbreak it was somehow easy for the community to arrange a second meal but now things have changed, they say. Many have started begging on the streets with little success to earn a day’s meal.
Due to lack of jobs, many families are struggling to stay alive. They say the government cash handouts have not reached all and it has fallen short on its promises. Apparently, they are fighting both hunger and the virus on their own and their misery remains largely ignored.
With no money or documents to avail relief measures such as food, healthcare, shelter, sanitation or medical emergencies, the Indian homeless are among the most exposed to the immediate impact of the pandemic and economic crises.
While the rest of the country tries to get to the normal life, millions of homeless are struggling for a roof over their heads and a day’s meal.
Moreover, in the absence of the government support and threats from local police, they continue to be ignored.
The government aims to provide housing for all by 2022, but the number of families living on the streets continues to grow by the day.
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