What Happens Without Planning: Poor Gather In Thousands For Food Outside Shelters Amid Lockdown
At 8pm on March 24 the PM announced a nationwide lockdown starting midnight to fight coronavirus. In his speech he focussed on how we should stay in our homes inside laxman rekhas but there was hardly a mention of how those with no shelter or food would be helped. The lack of planning before the lockdown led to thousands of poor queuing up outside Delhi shelters.
At 8pm on March 24, the PM announced a nationwide lockdown starting midnight to fight coronavirus. In his speech he focussed on how we should stay in our homes, inside ¡®laxman rekhas¡¯ but there was hardly a mention of how those with no shelter or food would be helped.
Facebook
The result of the lockdown was panic, especially for the daily wage workers, now out of work and who cannot even find transport to go back to their villages. There have been reports of police resorting to lathi charge on people they found on the roads. However, the question remains where do those who do not have shelter or the means to fend for themselves go?
Facebook
People have been told to not gather in large numbers. However, the lack of planning before the lockdown led to thousands of poor queuing up outside Delhi shelters (that CM Arvind Kejrival as asked to be assigned to make food) for food.
Social media activist, Anjali Bhardwaj took to Twitter to point out the fact that amid coronavirus lockdown the poor and the hungry were suffering.
THOUSANDS have collected at shelter homes where Delhi govt has directed cooked food be provided. Overcrowded, overwhelmed- shelters don¡¯t have adequate ration & infrastructure. Govt needs to ensure cooked food distribution at all anganwadis & govt schools also #21daylockdown pic.twitter.com/R0jUM6TreX
¡ª Anjali Bhardwaj (@AnjaliB_) March 25, 2020
¡®THOUSANDS have collected at shelter homes where Delhi govt has directed cooked food be provided. Overcrowded, overwhelmed- shelters don¡¯t have adequate ration & infrastructure. Govt needs to ensure cooked food distribution at all anganwadis & govt schools also¡¯, her tweet reads.
The Delhi government has announced 5000/month compensation for daily wage workers and asked shelters to provide food to the poor. The Delhi government has also started a website to give out passes to people according to their requirements.
EMERGENCY measures required to prevent starvation. 234 night shelters not adequate to supply cooked food- how will people reach without public transport? @AamAadmiParty govt must also ensure:
¡ª Anjali Bhardwaj (@AnjaliB_) March 25, 2020
-cooked food in anganwadis/schools
-foodgrains to all in need
-midday meals pic.twitter.com/FhJTYX1wRV
Responding on the tweet, Preeti Sharma Menon, National Executive Member of Aam Aadmi Party wrote this, ¡®Not one person went without food. The number spiked today from the usual 2000 to 7000 but all got food. It's remarkable how well the govt handled it unprecedented even. I don't what their motives are, but there is a group of people constantly spreading half baked stories. Shame¡¯.
Not one person went without food. The number spiked today from the usual 2000 to 7000 but all got food. It's remarkable how well the govt handled it unprecedented even.
¡ª Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) March 25, 2020
I don't what their motives are, but there is a group of people constantly spreading half baked stories. Shame.
It's a tricky situation where we want social distancing but we can't let people die of hunger either. Based on requirements, the response is evolving daily.
¡ª Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) March 25, 2020
At least delhi government is giving food, you cannot imagine how many Mumbaikers are scrambling for food.
The bigger concern is dispelling the crowds. Coronavirus thrives in crowds, and the government should make sure that something is done to deliver food to the poor instead of them gathering in large numbers.
