By Ashna MS, AIDMI, Kerala, India

Background
Kunjammini Kumar, a 54-year-old cloth seller, lives in Ponnurunni, Ernakulam. Living in a rented house with her elderly mother, son, and his family, Kunjammini has been the backbone of her household ever since she was widowed 25 years ago. While her son works at a lottery shop, Kunjammini contributes to the family income by running a stall in the Ernakulam Broadway market, where she sells innerwear. On average, she earns around ₹ 5,000 per month, which helps meet essential household expenses.

Climate Vulnerability and Challenges
Kunjammini’s business is highly exposed to climate-related risks that threaten her limited income:

• Heatwaves: Prolonged exposure to extreme heat makes working conditions uncomfortable, discourages customers from visiting the market, and can cause wear and tear to her stall setup.
• Heavy Rains and Flooding: The Broadway market area is prone to waterlogging during the monsoon season, which deters customers and risks damaging her stock.

Financial Support and Training Program Participation

Kunjammini received Rs. 5,000 as a grant under the Green Finance Fund programme aimed at strengthening the resilience of informal workers against climate disruptions. She invested this amount in a new cart for her business — a simple yet impactful upgrade that lets her display her goods more effectively, attract more customers, and work more efficiently.

Application of Support and Outcomes

Her stall now remains operational even during moderate rains, ensuring business continuity. Protected storage reduces the risk of damage to her products, saving her from potential losses. The measures have given her greater confidence to operate during varying weather conditions, rather than closing early and losing sales.

Satisfaction and Outlook

Kunjammini is highly satisfied with the program’s support, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to make improvements she could not have afforded on her own. She feels more prepared to face adverse weather and is optimistic about maintaining her livelihood despite future climate uncertainties.

Conclusion

Kunjammini Kumar’s story illustrates how small-scale, targeted interventions can significantly strengthen the disaster resilience of vulnerable vendors. By investing in protective infrastructure and secure storage, she has safeguarded her business, stabilised her income, and enhanced her capacity to cope with climate-related disruptions. Her story reflects how even modest support, when used wisely, can strengthen resilience and ensure livelihoods continue in times of uncertainty.