A large number of migrant labourers are stuck enroute to their villages/ hometowns due to the lockdown at places away from their destination. This is resulting in a humanitarian crisis as well as a huge chance of infection spreading if not handled properly which will further aggravate the country’s situation under this pandemic. The following critical measures must be undertaken immediately to handle this unprecedented situation.

7.1.3.1 Crisis & Help Centers - Share Location Information

Priority: Immediate

A number of crisis and help centers are already operational by the government and civil society along the travel route of migrant labourers. Information related to this might not be known to these traveling migrant labourers. Thus targeted sharing of information related to crisis and help centres operated by govt and civil societies is of urgent need. This can be shared through multiple methods (print /electronic /social media) with details of contact and services offered.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Support govt in collating information of crisis and help centre operational along different routes.
• Support govt in the development of communication strategy and plan.
• Develop the messages for different media (print /electronic /social media)
• Support govt in the implementation of communication plan.

7.1.3.2 Food & non-food support to migrant families enroute

Priority: Immediate

Migrant families stuck enroute need immediate support for food and non-food items. Please refer to Appendix B1 & B2 for further details.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Support govt in running a community kitchen for the migrant families stuck enroute due to lockdown.
• Procurement and distribution of food and non-food items to the migrant families.

7.1.3.3 Psycho-Social Support to the affected families.

Priority: Immediate

Families who get stuck enroute during lockdown, will be under severe psychological pressures due to uncertainty. Thus there will be a need to provide counseling by trained counsellors for providing psycho-social support while maintaining physical distancing protocols.

Areas where Civil Society Organizations can help:

• Support govt in setting up such support mechanism.
• Support the government with professionals to run such services.