A Qualitative Examination of the Mission Dharavi Project-Summary Report

The "Mission Dharavi Project" report highlights the severe impact of COVID-19 on Dharavi, one of Asia's largest urban informal settlements. The project, led by the Society for Nutrition, Education, and Health Action (SNEHA), aimed to address the unique challenges faced by the community from June 2020 to May 2021. During the pandemic, SNEHA adapted its programs to include COVID-19 awareness, provision of essential supplies, and coordination with public systems to maintain health services. A significant part of this effort involved community-based volunteers, renamed COVID Yoddhas, who played a critical role in these activities.

Community perceptions of COVID-19 in Dharavi evolved over time. Initially, there was widespread fear and panic, with people deeply concerned about contracting the virus, being quarantined, and the social stigma associated with the disease. This fear led to some positive behaviors, such as increased adherence to preventive measures like mask-wearing and handwashing. However, it also caused negative outcomes, such as reluctance to seek medical care and delays in accessing routine health services. As time passed, attitudes shifted, with some in the community beginning to deny the existence of COVID-19 or downplaying its risks, which resulted in a decrease in preventive behaviors.

The report also discusses the challenges faced by SNEHA during the implementation of the Mission Dharavi project, particularly the difficulties of maintaining community interaction amid lockdowns and travel restrictions. Despite these obstacles, SNEHA leveraged its existing network of volunteers to continue essential activities. The Yoddhas were instrumental in raising awareness, distributing food, and ensuring access to health services, often going above and beyond their usual responsibilities due to the crisis.

Finally, the report emphasizes the importance of continued support for the Dharavi community, both in terms of ongoing COVID-19 prevention efforts and addressing the broader socio-economic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. The findings suggest that while the immediate response to the crisis was effective, a holistic, long-term approach is necessary to ensure the community's resilience against future shocks. This includes addressing underlying issues such as economic insecurity, which are critical for sustaining improvements in health and well-being in Dharavi.