War Against Hunger (2020–2021)

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Prabhaav Foundation’s War Against Hunger initiative responded to the urgent food crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown. The intervention primarily advanced SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, while also contributing to SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

As lockdowns brought livelihoods to a halt, vulnerable groups—including migrant labourers, daily wage workers, rag-pickers, house-helps, street vendors, and informal workers—were pushed into severe food insecurity. To address this, Prabhaav Foundation rapidly scaled up its long-running food support efforts and, from April 2020 to August 2021, distributed over 7 lakh meals and essential dry ration support across Delhi-NCR, Jammu, Rajasthan, and Odisha.

In 2020, the Foundation supported 16,000 families living in urban slums of Delhi-NCR through the distribution of ration kits and cooked meals, in partnership with the special police force for last-mile delivery. In 2021, as the second wave intensified both food and medical distress, cooked meals and dry ration reached more than 8,000 additional families.

The initiative also extended support to vulnerable artisan communities, including the Patachitra artists in Raghurajpur and puppet performers in Anand Parbat, Delhi, who lost their income due to the shutdown of tourism. With support from Acuity Knowledge Partners, these families received one month’s dry ration and health kits, alongside continued efforts to create market linkages for sustaining their traditional art forms.