ONE MORE FAMILY RESCUED FROM THE BRINK OF STARVATION

In an attempt to control the spread of the Coronavirus, the Government of India has announced a complete lockdown. While this precautionary measure is helping to control the spread of this contagious virus, it has led to the rise of major crises for daily wage earners and migrant workers.

They are the worst sufferers of the side effects of the lockdown. They usually live hand-to-mouth and without their daily earnings, they can barely provide for their family. Currently, most of the daily wage earners and migrant workers are out of jobs. It has become extremely difficult for them to feed their family.

CHILDLINE 1098 received a call from a helpless father whose three children have been starving for 3 days. Hailing from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Prashant Sinha (name changed to protect identity) came to Vapi, Gujarat nine years ago to work in a tailoring company. Five months ago, he brought his 3 children, Samir age 11 years, Akash age 6 years and Vikram 4 years old (names changed to protect identity) to his residence in Vapi-Valsad.

During the initial days, of the COVID -19 outbreak, the factory owner gave the father some money and necessities. But soon they ran out of resources and the money. The CHILDLINE team member working on this case coordinated with the district administration authorities to arrange for ration and food items for the family.

Within no time, the DSP of Valsad sent his team with all the ration and food items to the family. Upon receiving groceries from the police, the father immediately informed CHILDLINE and thanked for co-coordinating and arranging for food. 

In these challenging times, CHILDLINE is receiving thousands of calls from children and parents who need help to buy ration and food items. You too can join hands with CHILDLINE 1098 and help us fulfil their needs.

WHEN GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING

Thousands of children go missing each year. Children go missing due to a number of possible reasons such as abduction or kidnapping, trafficking, lost children, running away from home due to conflict with family or living in a difficult and aggressive environment.

Large numbers of missing children end up on the streets in acute poverty. Many are forced to engage in unlawful activities. They are extremely vulnerable and easily exploited. In the year 2018-2019, CHILDLINE received approximately 32,000 cases of missing and runaway children each.

CHILDLINE 1098 is 24X7, emergency, toll-free helpline for children who are in distress. The CHILDLINE ground level rescue teams ensure that every child is safe and secure even in tough situations.

CHILDLINE 1098 has safely restored a missing child with his parents during the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. One day before the lockdown began; CHILDLINE 1098 received a call reporting a missing child who was unable to speak and was at Delhi Gate, Ghaziabad, UP. The team members immediately rushed to the location and found the child, Rohan (name changed to protect identity), 17, alone.

Since the child was unable to communicate, CHILDLINE took the child to the Ghaziabad police station. Even the police could not get any information from him. As per the protocol, the child was produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Though the child was supposed to be sent to the shelter home in Bijnor, UP, the chairperson decided that the boy should be quarantined at a hospital as a preventive measure due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the boy did not show any symptoms, the doctor at the MMG hospital in Ghaziabad was not keen to quarantine the child. However, post continuous persuasion from CHILDLINE, the boy was quarantined at the hospital. While the child was in quarantine, the CHILDLINE team member remained with the child and managed to get the contact details of the child’s family and inform them. The child’s family managed to reach Ghaziabad, despite the limited transport facility. After the due diligence process was completed, Rohan was reunited with his family.