Mahindra Logistics, Samhita Social Ventures launch HOPE initiative to support drivers

Mahindra Logistics (MLL), one of India’s leading 3PL solutions providers has launched HOPE (Helping Our People during Emergencies), an initiative to support drivers financially to aid the battle against the Covid-19 lockdown. The company has partnered with Samhita Social Ventures - a social enterprise and SuperMoney - a financial lending tech platform to reach out to the beneficiaries within ecosystem.

Mahindra Logistics says this move will create an ecosystem to channelise CSR funds of other companies to provide economic support and recovery to workers. The ongoing national lockdown announced has impacted a large number of drivers, who are either ferrying goods between the states as well across the country, or those who drive taxis and for ride-sharing companies. These drivers mostly stranded and are struggling to make ends meet for themselves and their families.

As a part of the initiative, Mahindra Logistics will be providing immediate relief by transferring Rs 3,000 to each driver’s bank account, to buy essential commodities. This will be followed by other steps for the drivers like health insurance cover, leveraging government schemes and loan guaranteeing model.  In addition to this, Mahindra Logistics would also strengthen healthcare professionals’ abilities to respond and provide support to affected families using digital channels.

Rampraveen Swaminathan, MD and CEO, Mahindra Logistics said: “With over 30 percent of commercial vehicles stranded on roads across the country, drivers need urgent support. Truck drivers and their families are in immediate need of cash for food and other basic facilities. We have launched several programs to support the driver community along with our business partners. Through this initiative, of short-term financial relief and hope, we aim to help these drivers and their families until the situation in the country is restored.”

Priya Naik, founder and CEO, Samhita Social Ventures said: “Through our India Workers' Alliance, we are delighted to partner with Mahindra Logistics, to support India's blue-collar and gig economy workers whose lives and livelihoods have been severely impacted. Our single objective is to help them survive this crisis and enable them to get back on their feet. We talk to our workers and experts constantly to ensure that our solutions are quick, effective and responsive to changing needs on the ground”.

This comes in addition to the emergency cab services initiative by Mahindra Logistics (MLL) enterprise mobility business, Alyte for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The free service has begun in Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai, with more cities being added every day.