“If we hadn't got that aid, we would have failed to do the lifesaving surgery” says a returnee migrant worker 45-year-old Santi, residing in a coastal village of South Kerala, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 while her husband Rakesh was in Abu Dhabi working as an Aluminum Fabricator. "Rakesh had told me not to worry, and he will take care of me and treatment expenses. But we weren't lucky enough for that. In December 2020, Rakesh had to return from Abu Dhabi," Santi said. 53-year-old Rakesh had to return as his company was closed due to the Covid-19-led financial crisis. And the company didn't pay him his end-of-service benefits citing the Covid-19 crisis as a reason. As Rakesh returned empty-handed, it was a tough time for them to continue the treatment. They heard about a non-governmental organization offering help for those struggling to make ends meet after returning from the Arab Gulf following Covid-19 crisis-led job loss. He requested from the organization Rs50,000 for the treatment of Santi. "To do a CT Scan, some Rs20,000 is needed. We had taken a short term loan from our neighbor for that. And it was then that TSSS allotted us the money. We repaid the loan and saved the rest of the money for buying medicines," she said. Monthly, she needs Rs20,000 for medicines . And her two children are studying in college. Rakesh is jobless now, and he goes fishing in the sea with his friends. While talking to this reporter, James said that "fishing always has uncertainty. Sometimes, we get a good catch, sometimes not." "Additionally, as I don't have a boat, I have to join others, and we have to share the expenses and the catch," Rakesh said. Rakesh and Santi stay in a small half-built house in the coastal village. "We started building the house when I was in the Gulf. Now, I don't know how I will complete the construction...," Rakesh added. Rakesh’s elder son has migrated to the UAE on a visit visa in search of a job. "He had done a technical course in electrical. I hope he will be able to find a job. One of our relatives has taken him. We won't be able to survive without a regular income," Santi said while thanking the organization for the support. 7