Uttar Pradesh is one of the poorest parts of the world where Covid-19 is creating an emerging crisis - the lockdown is already starting to mean workers and their families have lost their livelihoods and are now facing extreme hunger. Poverty is a key driver of human trafficking in eastern Uttar Pradesh, especially in remote rural villages where large numbers of people live on or below the poverty line - these are the "source areas" where traffickers look to prey on the vulnerable, particularly putting women and children at further risk of abuse and exploitation.
Guria India are responding to the crisis with an ambitious food distribution program in the districts of Ghazipur, Mau, Varanasi, Chandauli, Azamgarh and Mirzapur with the partial support of Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives. However we urgently need more resources to be able to reach those in need. and prevent marginalised women and children becoming victims of human trafficking.