Uttar Pradesh state in India is one of the poorest parts of the world and infamous for unsafe migration. Covid-19 is creating an emerging crisis here - the lockdown is already starting to mean daily wage workers, migrant labourers and their families have lost their livelihoods and are now facing extreme hunger. Poverty, and the related issue of hunger, 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 immediate 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 need more resources to be able to reach those in need, especially marginalised women and children living in remote villages, as well as those living in the red light areas.

About Guria India: we are working to eradicate human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Northern India. Guria India's strategies include preventing second generation prostitution/child prostitution in brothels through education, health support, entitlements, livelihood & vocational training, awareness to prevent human trafficking, advocacy & sensitization towards authorities, rescue & rehabilitation for survivors, and legal work in order to prosecute the perpetrators. To date Guria India has rescued 2,547 persons from different forms of slavery especially commercial sexual exploitation and is fighting 3,016 criminal cases against the traffickers & brothel keepers.

Your donation will help support Guria Indias urgent work at this critical time and ensure many more children and vulnerable women are not victims of human trafficking due to the emerging crisis.

* If you live in India you can also donate through Guria India's website: www.guriaindia.org

** Guria UK raises funds and awareness for Guria's work in India, Guria UK is entirely volunteer run with any minimal administrative costs covered by the volunteers, therefore 100% of your donation will go to Guria's work in India.