D.C. Dr K V Rajendra agrees to Provide ‘Night Shelter Centre’ in Bunder to House Destitute

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr KV Rajendra agrees to Provide ‘Night Shelter Centre’ in Bunder to House Destitute, during a Meeting of nearly 30 plus N.G.O.s in his Office

Mangaluru: In the past Team Mangalorean had done quite a few reports on the misery and hardships faced by hundreds of homeless, destitute, beggars and low-wage migrants, who many a times go to bed hungry, and with no proper place to sleep- and the recent article published by Team Mangalorean/Mangalorean.com on 26 July 2020 (Ref: HUNGER KILLS! Middle-aged Homeless Man Found Dead in Auto-rickshaw Park in City due to HUNGER!  ), was read and taken into serious consideration by Er Jerardin D’souza-the Founder of Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association (MAA), and Managing Trustee of Spandhana We Care Charitable Trust, that he interacted and discussed with other NGO’s in rectifying the long pending problems of the destitute/homeless/beggars and bring solace to them.

It should be noted that several homeless still lie on the streets and under sheds in abandoned or under construction showrooms, seeking shelter from the COVID-19 sans any help they say from the district or the government. The homeless, mostly migrants, have nowhere to go and are even running out of supplies. Money is less, demands are more, income has been shut and the police does not let them go out. Many of these poor have been residing in the open for years, among whom are daily wage earners, whose income is not enough to support themselves. If you look around the City, hundreds are homeless, and with no money and no documents to help them access relief measures related to food, health, water, sanitation, shelter and livelihood, the homeless have become the most vulnerable to the immediate impact and aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis.

Among destitute and beggars, most homeless people are domestic workers and daily-wage labourers. Even after the lockdown, they may not have a livelihood, and their lives will be much worse during monsoon. The water crisis is acute for the homeless and given the poor quality of food they consume, they are vulnerable to disease also. In the meantime, it is even hard to figure out exactly who the homeless are and to unfold the status of various factors related to their lives – services, entitlements, government policies, access to shelter, violence and challenges specific to women. The problem is especially acute for homeless women who have malnutrition and various other diseases, mental health issues and risky pregnancies. With hospitals overburdened with Covid-19, the issue of accessibility is likely to be worse now. Then there is the question of access to food. “I have only been eating two chappathis or pooris since the lockdown began because that is all I can afford to buy” said Raju, a homeless hailing from Arasikere and stranded here in Mangaluru since six months.

Among the hundreds of homeless who go to bed hungry, Team Mangalorean highlighted an example of a homeless man, who died due to hunger/malnutrition, in the recent report. This middle-aged homeless man was found dead in the Sri Rama Bhavan Auto-Rickshaw Park, opposite to Wenlock Hospital/University College, Mangaluru. The police who were informed about his death, were quite reluctant to go near the body with the fear of Covid-19 virus spreading. After an hour the ambulance arrived, and the ambulance driver did the needful in shifting the body to Wenlock hospital for autopsy. His death was totally due to hunger, which led to his weakness and illness, and in the end, death.

This death was an awakening call to the officials of District Administration and MCC, that just like this man who died of hunger, and negligence from the authorities, there are many such homeless people who are starving and could also face death the similar way, if quick action is not taken by the concerned soon. During COVID-19 lockdown period, migrant population and homeless population-related issues had become a major problem, and for few months, many NGO’s and social organizations provided food for thousands of migrants/homeless, but now with lack of funds such free service has been discontinued, and these poor folks are facing the brunt of it.

So, Why are the homeless ignored by all sections of the government and local administration? Is it because of their invisibility. Seems like Covid-19 has exacerbated the vulnerabilities of the urban homeless communities and there has been no specific intervention for the urban homeless because of their invisibility. Why can’t the authorities provide some kind of strategies which can help the homeless deal with the crisis being created by the pandemic and the lockdown? And not simply ignore and allow them to suffer. There are chances, many of these homeless with Covid-19 symptoms are quarantined on the streets. They should be shifted to government quarantine centres and equipped with facilities,before they spread the virus to other people.

It should be noted that many of these homeless have always been victims of violence and harassment. The pandemic would impact them even more acutely. It should be noted, even prior to people needing food during lockdown, White Doves, a local NGO has been supplying food to the hungry on the streets since the past 23 years on a daily basis with a hot meal in the evening.Therefore when the initial lock-down was announced it was easy for White Doves to supply food to people in thousands. Even after the lifting of the lock-down 300-350 people were being provided food near Nehru Maidan, systematically and by maintaining social distancing. That place was ideal for food distribution, since whenever it rained these unfortunate brethren could move into the vacant bus stands right opposite and take shelter from the rains.

Since this NGO was asked to move from main roads to inner narrow roads to supply food to the people, which was kind of hectic, and White Doves had no intention to stop the supply of food but were forced to, since people were constantly pointing out about social distancing and didn’t wanted to get blamed for any community spread of COVID-19. Now that this NGO has stopped providing food, which for years kept many of these homeless alive, it is time that district administration takes action soon to help these poor citizens of Mangaluru. Even though few citizens had brought this situation to the notice of the concerned authorities, but until now no action has been taken, and in the meantime, the homeless are starving day by day, and no proper place to rest or sleep. It would be nice if the government provides a suitable accommodation for these in a building, and also an NGO roped in to help out, would surely take the suffering and pain out of these poor.

I would like to compliment Er Jerardin D’souza and the members of the 30 plus NGO’s who went and met DC Dr Rajendra to discuss about the hardship faced by the destitute, and come up with a proper solution to ease out the hunger faced by these destitute, and also provide them suitable shelter. ” What can the Government do for you?. This meeting is to know your needs.” said Dr KV Rajendra I.A.S., the D.C. of Dakshina Kannada District, while addressing a meeting called mainly to find a solution for the destitute of Mangaluru. Seeing the pathetic condition of the destitute, mainly in and around Nehru Maidan, Jerardin D’Souza, had earlier met the DC, and presented a letter requesting him to call for a meeting of all concerned to find a solution.

During the said meeting, D.C. inquired with each organization about their needs and capacity to house the needy. Some organizations had disabled people who could not get their Aadhar Cards done. The D.C. immediately instructed the officials to visit their N.G.O. and get it done. Some needed medicines, some said there was some delay in receiving Government aid. The D.C. immediately responded and made notes. Jerardin D’Souza requested the D.C. to facilitate the use of a Night Shelter in Bunder, which has a capacity of housing 75 people for housing the destitute. Chittaranjan, an Officer from Mangaluru City Corporation provided details.

The D.C. immediately agreed and instructed to use the night shelter as a home for the destitutes and to coordinate with the N.G.O.s to provide food. Since today’s Covid situation is more like a war situation, He promised to write to the authorities regarding funds and medicines and made prompt instructions. Around 31 NGO’s were represented at the meet, and the Women and Child Welfare Department had organized the meeting. The dynamic spontaneous approach of D.C. Dr KV Rajendra was well appreciated by all the representatives of various organizations. It was a very fruitful meeting and all organizations got acquainted with the new D.C. of Dakshina Kannada.

Now that the DC has taken an initial step in accommodating a bunch of destitute, without any further delay, the government and district administration needs to provide more for the needy. No doubt, the government and authorities of various departments are facing challenges to protect the poor, but they can’t simply ignore them and allow them to die. The poor will be forced to defy the lockdown once they have no resources left to survive. In all, the lockdown will exacerbate the economic woes of the country.

The Govt and authorities need to urgently adopt measures to protect the poorest and most vulnerable people if COVID-19 containment and relief measures prove inadequate. The lockdown has already disproportionately hurt marginalized communities due to loss of livelihood and lack of food, shelter, health, and other basic needs. The government does have a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of the population, but some of these steps have left many stranded, and homeless. The homeless people are in need of protection. Police actions to punish those violating orders have reportedly resulted in abuses against people in need.

Authorities should recognize that malnourishment and untreated illness will exacerbate problems and should ensure that the most marginalized don’t bear an unfair burden from lack of essential supplies and food. The concerned authorities should take urgent steps to provide shelters and community kitchens for those most at need, taking measures to ensure physical distancing. Team Mangalorean once again makes a humble request to the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that everyone has access to food and medical care, and that the poor and marginalized are not mistreated or stigmatized. The government’s responsibility to protect its people from the outbreak should not come at the cost of human rights violations. It’s Our City, a SMART CITY, if we can take care of our less blessed brethren, it would be a true smart support. And thanks to Er Jerardin D’souza, joined by other 30 plus NGO’s who are striving hard to eradicate hunger and provide shelter to the needy and destitute.