On 24th March, 2020 the Government of India announced national lockdown to fight Corona spread. This caused uncertainty and fear especially among the most vulnerable communities including daily-wage earners, subsistence earners, migrant labourers, rickshaw pullers, single women, old-aged, homeless and differently-abled, etc..
To effectively address the situation, Care Today Fund, an Initiative of India Today Group, partnered with Humanitarian Aid International, Visishta Gramodaya Swayam Saadhana Parishad, ActionAid Association, SOS Children’s Village India and Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra to provide essential relief to the most vulnerable and needy families. By 29th March, 2020 Care Today Fund, along with its implementing partners were on ground strengthening food security of some of the most vulnerable households. Under the initiative, 36,171 individuals, 612 children and 41 care givers in 19 cities were provided support so far.
Food rations aimed to support a family of five, in adequate quantity, lasting for about a month were provided as per the preferred food habits of the identified project locations that included rice or wheat flour, different types of pulses, sugar, edible oil, salt, turmeric, chilli and coriander powders, masala/spice packets, Tea leaves, Tamarind in Andhra Pradesh only), biscuits and milk powder. Personal hygiene items too were provided to the households that included washing powder, floor cleaners and soaps. In addition, fruits, vegetables and masks were also distributed to 612 Children and their 41 care givers. In addition, Care Today Fund also distributed 350 cooked food packets for two weeks since 29th March, 2020.