Introduction

Across the COVID-19 pandemic, talk of relief and mutual aid remained one of the important positive legacies of a difficult period. A variety of what we can think of as ‘non-state actors’ – civil society and non-governmental organisations, unions, worker organisations, religious organisations, newly made volunteer networks often no more than a WhatsApp group – came together to provide aid, food and medical support, all elements of urban social protection and safety nets.

Indian cities were no exception. In particular, in the second wave of COVID-19 in 2021, a remarkable effort centered around food relief emerged in New Delhi.

Called the Delhi Coordinated Relief Group (Delhi group), nearly 40 organisations came together to undertake the work of food relief in the city. The group had members from membership-based organisations of workers in the informal economy, community-based organisations, worker unions, NGOs, individuals and resident activists. This network has been documented extensively in the archive.