Donors pour out their hearts for Dharavi

Dharavi has been one of the cities Covid-19 Hotspots with more than 700 positive cases. But the dense pocket of slums has also seen generous donations and support from across the city. From corporations, NGOs, citizen groups to even celebrities, everyone has strived to endorse BMC Dharavi Mission. They have donated EPP kits, disinfectants, masks, thermal scanners, grocery kits, and even cooked meals.

PPE teams were needed in Dharavi to examine the thousands of inhabitants living in the pockets of the slums. The BMC had carried out a campaign, with doctors going door to door to examine residents and then refer them for a Covid-19 swab test. For that the EPP kits were key. BMC’s G-North Neighborhood, under which Dharavi falls, received more than 4,500 PPE kits from foundations and NGOs.

For example, the Udaan Welfare Foundation gave 100 PPE kits, Americares India Foundation gave 400 and the Maharashtra Acupuncture Council gave 500 kits.

Similarly, actor Juhi Chawla donated 2,000 grocery kits for distribution in Dharavi. Grocery kits were also donated by the Art of Living Foundation and D Mart, among others.

“We have many donations for Mission Dharavi. We had contacted some people in the first days. But once the work started, people introduced themselves directly and helped us with what we needed. Almost 80 percent of our kits and other supplies come from donations. People have been very supportive of us and everyone wanted to help us in the Dharavi Mission, ”said Kiran Dighavkar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, G-North Ward.

NGOs have also donated hand sanitizers, gloves and the BMC has also received equipment such as thermal infrared thermometers and pulse oximetry They are coming hands to carry out screening tests and in fever clinics. The Americares India Foundation delivered the BMC 173 thermal scanners and 119 pulse oximeters. Obtained 4,000 Nisarga Foundation masks and 1,900 New Era Fabrics masks as a donation.

On Thursday, 50 new cases were reported in Dharavi, bringing the total number of positive cases to 783. To date, 21 people have died.