The second wave of COVID-19 has hit India hard, with over 10,000 new cases being reported every day in states like West Bengal. At a time when social distancing has to be maintained and local transport services remain restricted, the trans and gender-diverse communities in the region have lost their main sources of livelihood such as begging and sex work. We can no longer perform at events or social gatherings including weddings. Some of the trans migrant laborers have also been forced to return to Bengal after losing their jobs in cities like Mumbai, due to the lockdown. Consequently, we are struggling to pay for our basic needs – food, rent, electricity, and medical bills.

Nadia Ranaghat Sampriti, a community-based organization has been supporting trans people for the last one year. However, our funds have dried up and we need to raise Rs 8,25,000 to support about 250 trans and gender-diverse people across Nadia, Hooghly, Murshidabad, and parts of North 24 Parganas districts in Bengal for at least the next three months.

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Break-up of expenses:
Groceries delivery: 3 months x Rs. 500 x 250 persons: Rs. 3,75,000/-
Overdue House rent: 6 months x Rs. 2000 x 20 households = Rs. 2,40,000/-
Overdue Electricity bill: 6 months x Rs. 500 x 20 households = Rs. 60,000/-
Medicines: 3 months x Rs. 200 x 250 persons = Rs. 1,50,000/-
Total: Rs. 8,25,000.