In response to the economic turmoil exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Lifeline introduced the “Lifeline for the Destitute” program in September 2021. This initiative aims to alleviate extreme poverty by creating sustainable livelihoods for the most vulnerable families who struggle to provide for themselves.

The program, conceived amidst widespread job losses and economic instability, has a dual objective. Firstly, it provides means of livelihoods to establish stable income streams for families in need. Secondly, it offers temporary food support to address immediate nutritional requirements.

Field teams from The Lifeline Foundation (TLF) conducted thorough assessments for each case through home visits and interviews with families and neighbors. Budgets ranging from INR 7,000 to INR 18,000 were allocated per case, depending on the chosen livelihood option.

Since its inception, Lifeline has successfully supported 255 families in establishing new means of livelihoods. Notably, 201 families were assisted in the fiscal year 2022-23 alone. This sustainable project has yielded strong positive outcomes and impact.

Over a span of 19 months, Lifeline has conducted 21 drives to implement livelihood setups. Of the 255 supported cases, the program maintains an equal focus on men (50.6%) and women (49.4%). Maritally, 38% of recipients are categorized as single, divorced, abandoned, or widowed, while 62% are married.

Most significantly, 75% of recipients possessed Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and relied solely on day-to-day earnings to sustain their families. The Lifeline for the Destitute program continues to be a beacon of hope for vulnerable communities, offering tangible support and fostering sustainable livelihoods in times of adversity.