The coronavirus has given us time to reflect, to delve into ourselves to discover or even rediscover ourselves. The entire human race is fighting with odds amid despair, financial concerns, health challenges and psychological stress. Even relationships are now under strains because of forced proximity which is a result of confinement often in cramped spaces.
In our society everyone doesn't have the luxury to have spacious dwellings to escape when nearness becomes oppressive. The war clearly is ringing bells about the next pandemic i.e. hunger, which is about to hit the global humanity. This hunger pandemic is just round the corner.
The International Labour Organisation in its reports describes the Covid-19 panademic as the worst global crisis since World War-II. As per the report of the Press Trust of India, about 400 millions people working in the informal economy in India are at risk of falling deeper into poverty due to the Corona Virus crisis which is having “catastrophic consequences” and is expected to wipe out 195 millions full time jobs.
The informal sector has been the worst hit by Covid-19, as cash starved business ventures have either shut shop or delayed workers salaries. The All India Manufactures Organisation Industry by representing some Rs 100,000 small manufactures said more than two third of its members faced problems in paying salaries. The World Bank says that for the first time since 1998 global poverty rates will rise. By the end of the year, 8 per cent of the world’s population (around half a billion) could be pushed into destitution, largely because of the wave of unemployment brought by the lockdown. The financial shock waves could linger even after the virus is gone.
The lockdown has already disproportionately hurt the marginalised 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 tens of thousands out of work.
The Indian Government is facing extraordinary challenges to protect over a billion densely packed people. Two weeks back the Central Government announced a relief package of 1.7 trillion rupees to provide free food and cash transfer to the poor and vulnerable populations and health insurance for health workers among other things. The Government should ensure that those at heightened risk, including sanitation workers, community health staffs (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers, and people such as midday meal workers, public service officials and journalists who are at the front lines during this crisis are provided protective equipment, medical benefits and timely wages. The authorities in India and in different States should take all necessary steps to ensure that everyone has access to food and medical care and that the poor and marginalised are protected.
(The writer is a columnist, Khordha, Ph: 6370675562)