A Pandemic-specific ‘Emergency Essentials Kit’ for Children in the Migrant BoP communities

Abstract

COVID-19 has now been declared a ‘Global Pandemic’ by WHO. The pandemic has affected more than 200 countries since its first outbreak in December 2019. The spread of COVID-19 resulted in a state of lockdown globally. India too, closed its borders to contain the virus. Those worst affected by the pandemic are migrant workers at the ‘Bottom of Pyramid’ (BoP) due to unemployment and lack of monetary aid. Family sustenance has been difficult for them, with children impacted physically and psychologically. This paper proposes a ProductService System (PSS) that provides essential emergency kits to infants (6-12 months), children (1-6 years), and their mothers during such emergencies. This PSS scheme strives to fulfil their basic hygiene, nutritional and psychological requirements. Three types of kits are distributed to the migrant families using an online service platform. The entire system operates on a sustainable, single-use plastic-free design. The case study of this humanitarian scheme is specific to India but is also valid for other developing nations. Reaching out to the communities is achieved through a smartphone app and website. The system uses ICT infrastructure to connect various stakeholders and can be admirably adapted to the framework of an inclusive smart city.