The global outbreak of the Corona Virus has cost millions their jobs and livelihood – the daily wage earners and migrant labour being the most vulnerable. Today, as our city grapples with the twin crisis of the pandemic and poverty, many Catholic institutions, organisations, and NGOs have stepped up to help. Of these, we feature two: Jeevan Dhara (founded by Gene D’Silva) and the National Domestic Workers’ Movement (NDWM) under the presidency of Fr Felix D’Souza.

Jeevan Dhara distributes 1200 Dal Khichdi packets daily in the slums of Cheetah Camp, Trombay; Maharashtra Nagar, Mankhurd (West); Lallubhai Compound, Govandi; and Kawla Bunder, Reay Road. The relief work has also benefitted 157 migrant workers who have been provided rations.

To relieve the plight of domestic workers, NDWM has provided essentials and helped them avail Government packages. So far, the organisation has come to the aid of 4500 domestic worker families.