APNA’s Covid-19 Response
During the COVID-19 lockdown, APNA supported migrant workers and poor families in Ranchi and Hazaribagh by giving 140+ ration kits with food, masks, and hygiene items. In phase 2.0, we aimed to deliver 350 kits to the elderly, women with disabilities, and single mothers.
Spreading Relief Amidst the Chaos
Imagine walking thousands of kilometres in the scorching sun. Now imagine 35 million migrant workers doing that during the spread of a deadly virus. Out of 43.3 million migrant workers, around 35 million walked home or used unusual means of transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic (Wikipedia, 2025). Most of these migrant labourers originate from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This sudden movement of migrant labourers can be ascribed to the initial phases of the pandemic, when the government imposed a 21-day country-wide lockdown. The condition of the masses was abject, and they had to live in hunger, being cut off from their sources of income. This led to a sharp rise in unemployment and starvation across the country.
Swiftly entering the playing field, APNA’s COVID-19 Response Team took upon the initiative to feed as many empty stomachs as possible. The team had prepared and supplied more than 140 Dry Ration kits to the needy, having set a goal of providing 150 such kits.
As the second phase of the lockdown started on 15 April 2020, APNA came up with a remodelled task force, catering to the specific needs of the people. This task force, named COVID-19 Response 2020, 2.0, aimed at distributing as many as 350 Dry Ration kits to the underprivileged, targeting again the areas of Ranchi and Hazaribagh. The team targeted the elderly, women with disabilities, pregnant women and single woman centric households.
The Dry Ration kits APNA’s team provided involved people from all walks of life, including rickshaw pullers, migrant workers, daily wage earners, poor students, and families. The lockdown, which took place on 25th March, 2020, brought the team volunteers to Ranchi and Hazaribagh, where they provided the underprivileged with food essentials at their doorsteps. This was a small step APNA took to deliver mankind from the pandemic, bringing respite to those who most required it. Among those who received help was Sallu Khan, a rickshaw driver from Mali Tola, Ranchi. “Due to the lockdown, we were stuck in the Rickshaw Garage from 22 March,” Sallu recalled.
“With no source of income or savings, we could not afford food, not even for a week. After a few days, APNA came with dry rations and hygiene kits, sanitisers, soaps, and masks- things we couldn’t buy ourselves. They assured us they would help throughout the lockdown.” — Sallu Khan, a rickshaw driver from Mali Tola, Ranchi
As the second phase of the lockdown started on 15 April 2020, APNA came up with a remodelled task force, catering to the specific needs of the people. This task force, named COVID-19 Response 2020, 2.0, aimed at distributing as many as 350 Dry Ration kits to the underprivileged, targeting again the areas of Ranchi and Hazaribagh. The team targeted the elderly, women with disabilities, pregnant women and single woman centric households.
