On January 1, 2022, Hope and Action Foundation distributed over 200 sets of clothing to homeless women and children in Delhi NCR. According to the 2011 Census, India has more than 1.7 million homeless individuals, with 938,384 residing in urban areas. Civil society organizations estimate the urban homeless population at around 3 million, with Delhi alone accounting for 150,000 to 200,000 homeless individuals, including at least 10,000 women. India also has the highest number of street children globally, estimated at approximately 18 million.

The Need for Warm Clothing

Many homeless individuals in cities are migrant laborers who sleep on pedestrian footpaths after a day of strenuous work. Winter temperatures in Delhi NCR can drop to nearly 0°C in early January, posing severe survival challenges. The lack of adequate shelter leads to serious health issues, including respiratory illnesses and even death.

Behzad Fatmi, Secretary-General of Hope and Action Foundation, stated, “As a responsible civil society organization, we address this social problem with the support of our donors.”

Foundation’s First Humanitarian Effort

The distribution of warm clothing in Noida was Hope and Action Foundation’s inaugural humanitarian effort since its establishment in 2021. The organisation is affiliated with the Hizmet Movement which promotes actions of goodness for all regardless of race, religion, caste or nationality of the beneficiaries.