profile image
Detailed Overview:

Chennai, 18th April 2020

The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to create havoc in the world. Our Prime Minister has taken stern measures to fight the pandemic and imposed a nation-wide lockdown on 25th March 2020. The rate of infection is growing everyday however, and, the lockdown has been extended until 3rd May 2020. Unfortunately, migrant workers were not prepared to face the repercussions of this lockdown. The unprecedented closure of state borders and the sudden complete ban on travel has meant that people have to stay where they are, regardless of their living or working conditions. Migrant workers are stranded in remote parts of India as their worksites have closed down and they have no means of reaching their native homes. Those who started the homeward journey are stuck in cities miles away from home.

Ibomcha Nongmaithem (name changed) who along with seven colleagues are currently stuck in Kovilpatti, a small town in Tamil Nadu close to Madurai, is one of the migrant workers severely impacted by the lock down. Ibomcha is from Nambol, a small village in Manipur, India with a population of 18,200. He is a textile mill worker and had been employed in Kovilpatti since March last year. Earning INR, 350 a day or roughly INR, 6,500 a month, he manages his living cost (rent, food, transportation and phone) and sends money home to support his wife, son and parents. Due to the lockdown, the factory where he was employed shut down. His employer has not been able to guarantee his salary or any additional support. His living quarters also came under threat as his landlord claims rent payment cannot be delayed beyond 30th April. Ibomcha made a distress call to a CMF member on 2nd April. CMF COVID-19 Task Force swung into action and contacted our COVID-19 Tamil Nadu Response Team and its partners - a group recently formed to support the migrant labourers and workers. Our partner NGO’s nodal center at Madurai immediately communicated with the Regional Collector at Kovilpatti. Help in the form of dry ration was delivered to Ibomcha the same evening. CMF also extended additional financial support to Ibomcha and his colleagues to help meet his immediate needs. A tearful Ibomcha said, "Thank you Chennai Manipuri Forum for everything. You are God-sent and without your help, I don’t know what would have happened to me, my colleagues here and my family back home. A-nganba Mana-shu Khangba Oisha-nu. (The Almighty should also know)".

Thousands of migrant labourers and workers who are stuck in Chennai and several other cities across Tamil Nadu share the same plight as Ibomcha. Distress calls kept pouring in and the number seeking help grew from 65 to 1200 in just 4 days. As per the data compiled by CMF Task Force as of 10th April 2020, the count of migrant workers from Manipur stands at 2500. The fear of livelihood engulfing these workers cannot be expressed in mere words. They are not assured of any salary payment, and the bigger fear is that factories and companies may be completely wiped out due to the current crisis and they will be rendered jobless. The Indian Government has taken a resolution to pump in funds to the MSME sector but there is no assurance that these unorganized sectors will get back on their feet with the same momentum as before. Initial estimates suggest that about 12 crore Indians (The Print, 8th April 2020) may have lost their jobs in the initial two weeks and unemployment rate may have climbed to 23.4% (Economic Times, 7th April 2020). With no salaries paid, our brothers and sisters are not in a position to meet their daily, weekly and monthly financial responsibilities.


CMF has been working in tandem with the Tamil Nadu state government and various state approved NGOs to ensure that rations are reaching those in need. So far, 2468 kgs of rice, 220 kg of Atta (flour), 380 kg of dal, 150 litres of cooking oil, 170 kg of spices, 200 kgs of sugar, 105 packets of salt, 2 kgs of tea leaves, 100 sanitary pads, 2000 sachet shampoo and 15 large Maaza bottles have reached 1400 of our Manipuri brothers and sisters who are in distress.


CMF has also extended monetary support to 20 families. This was possible through donations made by CMF members. Based on current data, basic living cost for migrant workers and families are approximated as follows. INR 8,000/- for married with children, INR 5,000/- for married without children and INR 3,500/- for single individual. The total minimum amount to ensure a month’s basic living conditions for this group of people in distress is approximately INR 50,000,00/-.

Though we are confined at home, while the pandemic rages through the world, please consider the plight of our brothers and sisters who belong to this adversely affected group. And, as we fight for lives against this pandemic, let us remember that hunger and homelessness can take lives too. Our Government and frontline warriors are doing everything they can to contain the virus, and we can all help make a difference. CMF seeks your generous contribution towards supporting our migrant workers and ease the nation’s burden. It is our firm believe that your donations will save the lives of many from being completely shattered. During this crisis, every penny counts and every wish matters. We can overcome, and together, we shall overcome.

The CMF leadership team will ensure complete transparency of funds received and its utilization.

Thank you!!

Sincerely,
N. Prithiviraj Singh

President - Chennai Manipuri Forum (CMF)

27031, DLF Garden City
Semmencherri, Thazhambur
Chennai – 600 130
Tamil Nadu, India

chennaimanipuriforum@gmail.com

About Chennai Manipuri Forum (CMF)

Chennai Manipuri Forum (CMF) was founded in the year 2018. Our ever growing 200 active and 500 non-active members are committed to the well-being of Manipuris in and around Chennai. CMF is actively engaged in various social activities to create a vibrant, progressive outlook and yet stay rooted to our rich culture and values. CMF is committed to extend its helping hand to the needy by partnering with various organization. As our motto says, we try to celebrate the Manipuriness in us everyday.

Please feel free to reach out to us for any queries regarding CMF or about this fund raising.

www.chennaimanipuriforum.org

About Wakhal:

https://idhubs.com/about

Organizer Address :


#SouthIndia
loading.....
USD $215.00 Raised
This fundraiser is no longer accepting. If you are the organizer, beneficiary, team member, or donor. Contact for more information.
CONTRIBUTOR LIST
Barun Okram
USD $50.00 - 3 years
Biramani Sagolsem
USD $65.00 - 3 years
Soram Dilbir Singh
USD $100.00 - 3 years