With support from IDS, PUKAR provided emergency food assistance to vulnerable migrant workers and slum communities in Mumbai by distributing essential ration kits to more than 730 families affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, PUKAR responded to the growing food insecurity faced by migrant workers and low-income families living in Mumbai's informal settlements. As many daily wage earners lost their livelihoods overnight, access to basic food supplies became a critical challenge. With support from IDS, PUKAR initially distributed food supply kits to 500 migrant worker families living in the Kaula Bandar slum community. The initiative was later expanded to provide essential ration kits to 730 families, benefiting approximately 3,543 individuals across Kaula Bandar, Mandala, and Cheeta Camp. Each kit included staple food items such as rice, wheat flour, lentils, cooking oil, and salt, helping families meet their nutritional needs during the lockdown. The project provided timely relief to vulnerable households, reducing food insecurity and supporting communities most affected by the economic impact of the pandemic.