MHA asks states to help vulnerable sections, kids orphaned due to Covid-19

The Union home ministry on Thursday asked states and union territories to immediately review the facilities available for vulnerable groups, particularly children orphaned due to the Covid-19 disease, and coordinate with the agencies concerned as well as civil society groups to get them timely help. The Union ministry of home affairs asked states to conduct an immediate review of the existing facilities for vulnerable groups It asked the states to give priority to vulnerable sections including orphaned children, women, senior citizens and people from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and sensitise police personnel in this context. In a detailed advisory issued on Thursday, MHA said: “Several states/UTs have initiated action and strengthened their machineries to support the vulnerable groups and various success stories and best practices are now available with states/UTs where emergency services have been provided to the vulnerable groups impacted by Covid-19.” “However, in order to meet the new challenges arising out of recent wave of Covid-19 affliction, it is requested to undertake an immediate review of the existing facilities for vulnerable groups interalia on the lines of the measures given in the various advisories issued by the MHA, especially for children who have been orphaned, senior citizens who may require timely assistance and support, and members of scheduled castes/ scheduled tribes who may need guidance to access government support facilities,” it added. Thursday’s communication reminded states about several advisories and standard operating procedures issued last year for the protection of vulnerable sections of the society.