Accepted Panels

Tribes are considered to be vulnerable communities owing to the historical marginalization they experience in the social, economic, cultural, and educational spheres. Like other indigenous communities around the globe, they are excluded or poorly represented in decision making including on matters that directly concern their life and livelihood. There are 38 listed tribal communities in Kerala of which five are particularly vulnerable tribal communities (PVTGs). This study examines the way in which the health and livelihoods of these tribal communities were affected by COVID-19 and the system-level challenges like poverty, malnutrition, healthcare, education, communication, and ecology related. A detailed review of how various media reported these aspects along with the government circulars would be used to build the argument. Focus has been given to the ways in which tribes in Kerala have responded to the specific vulnerabilities they faced during COVID-19. A study like this is significant because the vulnerabilities and resilience of marginalized communities during a crisis situation help to reflect on how policymakers can map the risks and response plans. The extent of vulnerability during COVID-19 also helps us to understand the widening gap between the ‘privileged’ and the ‘marginalized’  that again has policy implications.