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Salesians in Chennai Continue COVID-19 Aid for Stranded Migrants
18 April 2020
News written by: MATTHEWS Dominic
Don Bosco Relief Service(DBRS) under SURABI the Project office of teh Salesian Province of Madras [INM], is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic during the lockdown phase in and around Chennai. `Stay at Home and be safe` is not a reality for migrants and unorganized labourers who have to work every day to earn their livelihood. Many are from other States. Children cannot stay inside their houses. Chennai Salesians are responding to this Coronavirus outbreak that has had a major impact on two of the most vulnerable communities in Tamil Nadu, migrant construction and brick-kiln labourers, who have been rendered jobless in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts.
These stranded started coming to Chennai Central to return to their homes and unfortunately, the trains services have also been shutdown, leaving these migrant workers to fend for themselves on roads and railway stations.
Father Alphonse Arulanandam Director, with Father Xavier Packiam Provincial Economer, Father Edwin Vasanthan, Provincial Councillor and Father Francis Bosco INM Migrant Desk Director are overseeing relief outreach operatiosn to these stranded migrant labourers from Northern India. In Chennai alone about 3000 families have been isolated and monitored. Chennai, Erode and Kanchipuram districts have been identified as high-risk zones and the district borders are closed.
DBRS provides daily relief materials for these unfortunate people. The food package includes rice, cereals, oil, jaggery, wheat flour, fruits, vegetables, and spices. Hygiene kits consisting of soap, face masks, Dettol, coconut oil and sanitary pads are being distributed. Special package for infants below 02 years include baby food, biscuits and snacks. The idea is to help meet the requirements of the families for 10 days.
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