KISMAT- Collaborating with the Local Administration to assist Migrant Labourers in Kerala

Kerala Interstate Migrants Alliance for Transformation (KISMAT), a project of BREADS Bangalore has turned out to be the sole supporter of the Kerala state government in assisting and accompanying interstate migrants in their times of need. As a result, the Migrants Help Desks (MHD) set up in 11 districts of Kerala are facing hectic days during the national lockdown due the COVID 19 pandemic. Every MHD accompanies the district administration, health officials, police and other administrative agencies reaching out to the migrants; conducting camp visits, distributing essential groceries, first aid and medicines, creating awareness among them about the importance of staying safe indoors and maintaining physical distance etc.

The Wayanad MHD reached out to different locations in the district on 9 April 2020, especially the Mananthavady area, accompanying the Labour department to collect details of the interstate migrants to ensure that every migrant labourer in the district is provided sufficient food and basic essentials. The migrants were also given sufficient masks and educated about the intensity of the issue, protocols to follow during the lockdown and the various services and helpline numbers to approach for queries or in times of emergency.