Project Overview
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought Mumbai to a standstill, daily-wage earners were among the worst affected. As workplaces shut and incomes disappeared overnight, DBM India initiated an urgent relief mission to ensure that vulnerable families had access to food and essential supplies.
What began as a small effort to support 150–200 families quickly grew into a large-scale humanitarian project. Volunteers, community members, and even local kirana shopkeepers joined hands, enabling DBM to reach thousands of households across Govandi, Trombay, Cheetacamp, Rafiq Nagar, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Malad, Dahisar, Jogeshwari, Kandivali, Bandra, Parel, Aarey Colony, SGNP, Nalasopara, Malabar Hill, Byculla, Tardeo, Colaba, and more.
Families received 15-day ration kits consisting of rice, atta, oil, pulses, poha, rawa, tea, sugar, and essential spices — ensuring food security during the most challenging phases of the lockdown.
COVID-19 Relief Highlights
DBM immediately mobilised its on-ground teams to initiate large-scale distribution of essential food supplies. Daily-wage earners in Mumbai's most vulnerable settlements received immediate support, ensuring families who had lost all sources of income could access basic meals.
Over 6,48,000 meals were served within just 15 days. Cooked meals, food grains, vegetables and fruits were distributed across Aarey Colony, Masjid Bunder, Colaba and Ali Takao (Malad), among other underserved areas.
More than 1,400 families of daily-wage workers across Mankhurd, Govandi, Trombay and neighbouring slums received comprehensive 15-day ration support during the extended economic standstill.
Within three days, ration kits were provided to 900 additional families. DBM teams continued operating even during lockdown 3.0, delivering supplies to stranded workers and families.
Ration kits were provided to 50 households in severe distress, contributing to DBM's overall milestone of supporting 6,317 families since the beginning of the pandemic.
150 masks were donated by Mahendra Young Foundation and an additional 1,000 masks by Adore Charities. These were distributed among residents of Dharavi.
Project Impact
Specialised Community Outreach
Through the Tribal Tadka Women initiative in Aarey, DBM reached tribal families with customised support. The organisation also extended sustained assistance to the Vaidu community, through food, hygiene materials and collaborative efforts with local partners working closely with the community.
During April 2020, DBM conducted Menstrual Hygiene Education sessions in Worli and distributed sanitary napkins to 180 women of the Vaidu community.
DBM also expressed deep appreciation for the Indian police force, acknowledging their relentless service during the pandemic and extending support to recognise their commitment to public safety.
Project Gallery
What began as emergency support for 150–200 families grew into a large-scale humanitarian effort across Mumbai, bringing together volunteers, community members and local partners to help vulnerable households during the COVID-19 lockdown.