Uttar Pradesh during COVID-19

The situation in the red light area in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, UP, is bleak. Lack of funds combined with the lockdown (which has been extended till 3 May) has resulted in many women going hungry. The brothel keepers have as good as washed their hands off them. On the bright side, Grace Mission, a local NGO has put together small provision kits and asked us to distribute it to the women in Shivdasapur red light area. Our liaison officer will accompany members from Grace Mission to the red light area to assess the situation and provide additional assistance.   We have supplied provisions to eight survivors (from Rajasthan and UP) at their homes through their local grocer and police. We are working with Grace Mission to help them reach 25-30 women and their families in the red light area with hot meals.