As healthcare workers around the world have been battling the coronavirus, Tamil diaspora activists and businesses have been helping to keep frontline workers fully fed and fighting fit over the last two months.

Activists in London and Toronto were handing out free meals to healthcare workers in both cities, as part of community efforts around the globe.

In London, the Tamil Coordinating Committee delivered supplies to Northwick Park Hospital.

Food was also donated to frontline workers last month by the Shri Kanaga Thurkkai Amman Temple.

Meanwhile, the Walthamstow Sri Karpaha Vinayagar Temple delivered food to NHS workers at Whipps Cross Hospital.

In Canada, members of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam delivered food to frontline staff and volunteers to Markham Stouffville Hospital, “as a token of our profound appreciation and gratitude for their unparalleled service”.

In Scarborough, the Inforce Foundation has been collecting donations and with the support of businesses from across the community, has been delivering donations to hospitals such as Scarborough General and Markham-Stouffville, as well as long-term care facilities such as Sienna Altamont Community Care.

And in Mississauga, the Tamil-owned Eggsmart Queensway restaurant delivered 1080 meals delivered over three days to three hospitals in the city.

“You see this pandemic was not the only reason I wanted to give thanks,” said owner Thadshayini Thanesan. “When my husband, Simon became ill, we saw first hand how they helped him and all the hard work that is involved in their jobs."

"This was to say thanks for what they do every day.”