The COVID-19 pandemic placed significant pressures on healthcare systems worldwide. Drastic measures implemented to curb its spread had created serious obstacles to economic activity, livelihoods, and food security. Among those hardest hit were daily wagers, whose means of livelihood had been severely impacted by the pandemic.

In response to the crisis, ARPD initiated a food distribution campaign. Thousands of food packs were distributed during the lockdown period. ARPD’s Coronavirus Response Team led the charge, outlining specific measures. The primary focus was on delivering aid to the urban poor, most affected by the nationwide lockdown. Urgency dictated that priority be given to urban communities across the country.

Beneficiaries included small business operators, daily wagers, transgender individuals, minorities, and persons with disabilities who rely on hand-to-mouth earnings. This collective effort underscored the importance of community support during trying times, offering a lifeline to those most vulnerable.