COVID-19 in India: Who are we leaving behind?

Emmanuel Raju,Anwesha Dutta,Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson

doi:10.1016/j.pdisas.2021.100163

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered and intensified existing societal inequalities. People on the move and residents of urban slums and informal settlements are among some of the most affected groups in the Global South. Given the current living conditions of migrants, the WHO guidelines on how to prevent COVID-19 (such as handwashing, physical distancing and working from home) are challenging to nearly impossible in informal settlements. We use the case of India to highlight the challenges of migrants and urban slum dwellers during the COVID-19 response, and to provide human rights-based recommendations for immediate action to safeguard these vulnerable populations.

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered and intensified existing societal inequalities
We use the case of India to highlight the challenges of migrants and urban slum dwellers during the COVID-19 response, and to provide human rights-based recommendations for immediate action to safeguard these vulnerable populations
The world's COVID-19 response with regard to people living in informal settlements, migrants, refugees and other ultra-vulnerable populations has been slow and inadequate

Summary

The COVID-19 lockdown in India

The year 2020 will forever be remembered for the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts upon the world. The world's COVID-19 response with regard to people living in informal settlements, migrants, refugees and other ultra-vulnerable populations has been slow and inadequate. It reiterates serious concerns about health inequality, as well as people lacking human rights and dignity including access to basic services and infrastructures to survive the pandemic. Following the global trend and given the rising number of COVID-19 cases reported globally and in India, the Indian government announced a sudden and complete lockdown of the country on the 25th March 2020. To illustrate some of the challenges of urban migrants and people living in informal settlements (or slums) during the COVID-19 response, and recommend effective measures for action, keeping in mind future disasters and pandemics

Increased COVID-19 risk in urban informal settlements

The plight of migrant workers

Moving forward

Findings

Conclusion