Sunder Nagri is situated in the north east of Delhi. It is one of the largest resettlement colonies of the 1975-1976 Clean Delhi Drive by the Government Of India. As a result of the drive many displaced people migrated to the inner-city slum area of Sunder Nagri, where previously the land had been donated (by Mrs Indria Ghandhi) to the existing community. Following this mass migration more people started to move into the area from neighboring communities and from failing farms. An exodus of desperate jobless villagers put incredible pressure on the Sunder Nagri community and its resources. The present population is around 64,500. This large community is mainly accommodated in 11 blocks (F-J) spread over 200 acres. The numbers living in each house range from 5-8 members. Around 60% own their homes but 40% live in basic rental accommodation or in Jhuggis (make shift houses). The majority of the community are low wage earners such as: factory worker, security guards, clerks, shopkeepers (of small business), taxi drivers, small auto drivers, mechanics, weavers, tailors and vegetable venders (who operating from road-side-carts). There are also a considerable number who are the lowest paid and most vulnerable such as peddle-rickshaw drivers, street-waste collectors (Rag-pickers) and there is growing unemployment. Therefore many in the Sunder Nagri area the ‘poorest of the poor’.

Most of the Sunder Nagri area has basic sanitation, water supply, and electricity service but standards vary accordingly to the type of accommodation. Most Jhuggis have only intermittent provision of basic services, such as one water main between 25 families and basic open sewer sanitation. There are approximately 70 pharmacist’s shops operating in the Sunder Nagri area and often people will try to self medicate to avoid cost of medical care. There are some private practice doctors in the area but fees, standards and formal qualifications vary. There are local government hospitals but resources are unable to cover the full community health needs of the Sunder Nagari population. There are around 9 NGOs in the area offering services in education, development and women’s empowerment. There are 6 primary schools in and around east Delhi but for higher education children have to travel to adjoining areas. Many parents in the Sunder Nagri area uneducated and crowded living conditions make playing and studying difficult for their children. Approximately 33,800 of the population are males and 30,500 are females. Historically women in the community have tended to have a very restricted orthodox gender biased role. Due to improved information and education women are now moving towards attaining empowerment and developing important community roles such as in health education, welfare, income generation and decision-making. Despite these developments many women and children in the Sunder Nagri slum area remain vulnerable, lacking in basic health care, education and developmental resources. Therefore there has been a gradual movement of NGOs along with some Government resource.