Delhi's Guardian Angels

Apart from govt, city residents, a housing society and a private firm step in to battle pandemic impact by supplying essentials

- Prashasti Shandilya, Abhishek Bhalla, Tanseem Haider and Abhishek Anand

Food and shelter, two of the most important things for survival, are missing for thousands of homeless in the city right now. The repercussions of curfew, suspension of public transport and closure of eating joints have rendered them stranded in the Capital with many wandering around on foot in search of food and shelter.

However, the Delhi government came to their rescue by announcing that food and shelter will be provided to the city’s homeless.

Bipin Rai, a member of DUSIB (Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board), spoke to India Today TV about the facilities available at the night shelters.

“Basic facilities available include space to sleep, washrooms and food. We’ve been providing lunch and dinner to all those who wish to eat at the shelter homes, regardless of where and how they have come from. Everybody is welcomed here, including those who haven’t even lived here. On Wednesday, 18,500 people were provided food at 234 night shelters. We are also asking them to practice social distancing by maintaining adequate distance while standing in the queues. Also, we’re distributing masks and hand sanitisers to ascertain utmost precautions. It was overwhelming to serve people who hadn’t eaten anything for three days,” Rai said.

He further elaborated the prospects of extending these provisions. “Now, we are planning to make 35 more night shelters operational. Since the need is rising at an exponential level, we have planned to open 5 night shelters per day.”

India Today TV did a reality check at the Kashmiri Gate shelter home where 7,000 people were served food on Wednesday. Scores of people were seen around the shelter home, waiting for food.