In the aftermath of the COVID -19 pandemic, the Government of India declared a nationwide lockdown on March 24th, shutting down all public locations and restricting all public gatherings. The District Collector (DC) of Kozhikode, with the help of NGOs and the police, organized camps for street dwellers to prevent infection of Covid-19 and provide food and shelter. Initially, more than 700 street dwellers were housed in several camps throughout Kozhikode city and rural areas (Vatakara). The Department of Health and Family Welfare started visiting the camps on a regular basis and addressed the health and other issues of the residents. The Department of Social Justice supervised and facilitated all the activities to ensure the welfare of the residents. The psychosocial assessment and treatment were carried out by a "psychosocial care team" made up of specialists who volunteered in the fields of social work and psychology. With the help of governmental and non-governmental groups, they provided services to the camp residents. Later, the team went on to take care of the admission, discharge, family reunion, repatriation, and other concerns of the residents.

 

By July, all the actions had been structured under the framework of a "project". Officers from IMHANS were designated by the District Collector to coordinate the efforts (under the Disaster Management Act) and work closely with the Department of Social Justice. The Daya Rehabilitation Trust appointed professionals to assist District Administration with a variety of services. Initially, government funds were used to cater to the needs of the residents, but later on, the district administration relied on sponsorship to sustain the initiative's functioning.

 

The establishment of Udayam Home, a self-contained residential facility, was inspired by the idea of a zero homeless mission. Currently, we have three homes: Mankavu, East Hill (temporary facility), and Vellimadukunnu (old age home). At Vellayil and Chevayur, two permanent residences (Chevayur and Vellayil) are being built.      

 

To coordinate all the activities for comprehensive rehabilitation of street dwellers, the Udayam Charitable Society (UCS) was registered (KKD/CA/432/2020) in November, under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Presently, all the project activities are run by the society. The society is working in association with the Kozhikode District Panchayath, Kozhikode Corporation, District Social Justice Office, Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), and with the support of Daya Rehabilitation Trust.