#humsafarfightscovid19 - Emergency Support to LGBTQ+ Communities in light of Covid-19 breakdown - 2.0

Last year nationwide lockdown as a response to COVID-19 had a severe impact on the livelihoods of several marginalized communities including Transgender/Hijra persons.

However, the government authorities have taken limited efforts to reach out to the transgender community who are in acute need of financial and social support. Transgender/Hijra communities are the most affected by social distancing measures as they don’t have any source of income or financial support since they mostly depend on begging and sex work. Most of the schemes announced to access food through the public distribution system need a ration card which may not be available with the transgender community. Communities in certain districts are more affected than others due to fewer relief activities being undertaken.

The Humsafar Trust (HST) initiated a COVID-19 emergency fund and relief initiative on 29th March 2020 and supported over 25000 community members across 16 states of India. Currently, the covid cases continue to boom in Maharashtra and reporting the highest numbers of COVID19 cases. Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, and Karnataka are under strict lockdown, where there are travel restrictions and curfew through the day barring few hours to procure essential items. The second phase of lockdown is already a key concern for the transgender communities where they will have limited access to public spaces and other earning sources. In the second phase of emergency relief work, HST aims to reach out and provide ration dry support to the most impacted community persons across India.  

In light of the above, HST aims to reach out to 5000 community members with need-based support for ration kits and other support services for a two-month period. We have identified individuals who need support on an urgent basis through community-based organizations in four regions who approached Humsafar for ration kits would like to continue the following support to communities.

Ration Support: To provide monthly Rations kits (with 5 Kgs Rice, 5 Kgs Wheat flour, 3 Kgs dal, 1-liter cooking oil, Salt, 1 kg sugar, masala powder, eggs, immunity building foods, etc.) at home, or fair price shops through various existing organizations who have a robust supply chain network system.

Medicines Support: To support the communities with immediate medical health care interventions in the context of Covid-19 as well as providing support for other ailments through their local health care systems. We would also intend to support the people living with HIV (PLHIV) with ART medicines (in case they are not able to procure it through the govt. center) and other multivitamins tablets. In the second phase, we intend to provide support for COVID19 testing and treatment.   

Monetary Support: We will extend our support to community members for a period of 3 months who are dependent on a daily income. We will allocate fix amount of Rs. 1500/- per month to each beneficiary to cover the costs of ration, housing rent, and meet other immediate needs. We will do a direct transfer to the beneficiary bank account. Financial support will also be provided to take care of medical expenses and buy HIV medicines.

Protection & Sanitation kits: Since the infection rate in the second wave is higher than the first, the communities will be supported by providing the protection and sanitation kits. The kits will have masks, sanitizers, and soaps to help them maintain their hygiene. 

By ensuring the inclusion of marginalized groups such as the Transgender/Hijra community and subsequently the larger LGBTQ community we can collectively fight the pandemic crisis. This will allow communities to have access to better daily needs such as ration, monitory support, and health services.