Indigenous Population and the Battle Against Covid-19 in India: Social Work Response for Future Preparedness

Abstract

Marginalised indigenous communities have experienced greater impact of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) in their daily living. The indigenous population of India live in 15 states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A sizeable population of around ten percent work in urban areas (Census of India, 2011). These indigenous migrant workers returned to their native communities with the imposition of the national lockdown in March 2020. Reverse migration intensified transmission of the virus to native communities. Social work professionals have played a crucial role in addressing issues of indigenous people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used secondary data to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the indigenous people of India