Our response to COVID 19

 

As cases of coronavirus continue to increase globally, our work is more important than ever. Like all emergencies and humanitarian crises, the Covid-19 pandemic will hit women, the poor and the most marginalised the hardest. We stand in solidarity with all those affected by the crisis. We are at risk in Ireland, but we know for the countries we work in, the risk is far higher.

We are well-placed to respond to this crisis. We have built strong partnerships with communities over many years. We could only do this through your continued support – thank you.

Using lessons learnt from previous disease outbreaks, including the recent Ebola crisis, our colleagues are sharing essential health information with vulnerable communities and starting to put women-led response plans into action.

 

This week:

 

In India, ActionAid community partners and volunteers distributed dry ration kits to families of workers from the informal sector and volunteers worked to convert a government college in block to a COVID emergency centre.

In Palestine, ActionAid’s network of young volunteers, who received training on how to protect themselves and others from Covid-19, have this week distributed 300 hygiene kits, including anti-bacterial hand gel, gloves, toilet paper and soap, to 1,600 people in Bethlehem.

In Italy, the country worst affected by the pandemic in Europe, ActionAid has set up a digital community platform for sharing information about Covid-19, including news, solidarity initiatives, home shopping deliveries, fundraisers, psychological support and a section that tackles ‘fake news’ about the outbreak.

The organisation has also created a fund to support anti-violence centres and guarantee their work can continue during and after the emergency. This is particularly focused on giving women, who face economic pressures due to the pandemic, an escape route from violence.

Without your continued support, this work would not be possible. We will endeavour to keep you updated on our progress as the days and weeks go by.