“We cannot forget migrants, we cannot forget undocumented workers, we cannot forget prisoners in prisons.” Dr Michael J Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme on why we mustn’t forget the vulnerable and excluded when tackling Coronavirus.
Doctors of the World is committed to helping these groups. That’s why they've launched their Coronoavirus Global Solidarity Fund. This emergency fund will help keep their services for the most vulnerable running through, and beyond, the current crisis. Please, if you can, do give today .
We’re all worried and a little scared.
Coronavirus is making us all feel nervous, agitated and worried. It is an unprecedented time in our recent history and we need to come together to overcome this terrifying pandemic.
This is all putting a great strain on healthcare around the world. We know from experience that when this happens it is often the most vulnerable groups of people that are hit hardest.
Doctors of the World, are working with their colleagues and partners to do all they can to mitigate the impact of this global pandemic.
As you can imagine, this costs money. That’s why they are asking us to give to their Coronoavirus Global Solidarity Fund. They will use this money to continue to provide our services and help those most in need.
Some of this will help them continue our ‘business as usual’ work and some will be for new projects that arise from the emergency.
They have already translated advice for patients in 20 languages. These were produced in partnership with the Red Cross, Migrant Help and Clear Voice at no charge to patients. As guidance changes, we will update these.
As Dr Ryan ends by saying:
‘We’re in this together, and I hope we can finish this together’
Please, if you can, give generously now. Together we can help those who need us most.
With confirmed cases crossing 200,000 and more than 8,000 people already dead, the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak seems to have launched a war against humanity.
The worst affected countries are mainland China, with 3,237 deaths, out of 80,894 cases, of whom 69,601 have been cured. Italy follows with 2,503 deaths, 31,506 cases, Iran 1,135 deaths, around 17,000 cases, Spain 558 deaths and 13,716 cases and France with 175 deaths and 7,730 cases. Turkey, Bangladesh, Moldova and Burkina Faso have all reported their first deaths.
The pandemic has resulted in countries imposing travel restrictions and shutting down major events, shops and schools. But this is not the time to panic.
History has proved that through sincere, firm and coordinated actions, the world community can surmount any challenge. The deadly virus can certainly be beaten back by solidarity within communities and within nations.
Robust, bold and effective containment and control measures initiated by most countries are already raising hopes that the tough times could be overcome.
Governments in Europe, Asia and North America have rolled out strong measures to put the brakes on the ferocious spread of the pandemic.
Now is the time for each one of us to respond to the worldwide coronavirus crisis by being in solidarity with others, across countries and continents especially with those who are most vulnerable and most at risk in order to fight COVID 19,
We live in an interwoven, interconnected world where an injury to one is truly an injury to all. We must confront the coronavirus with solidarity and fight for a society where the health of all is more important than profits for a few.
A pandemic makes the slogan of solidarity literal: an injury to one is an injury to all. We become isolated, that makes us all vulnerable.
We can protect ourselves and others by changing our behaviour, asking governments to act, and donating.
Now more than ever , we need one another.
We must build on the trust, relationships and power we have built over years to support our communities at this time of unprecedented strain and stress.
While we may have to distance ourselves , we can increase our social solidarity, and our commitment to work together for the common good, sharing the concept of mutual aid.
Also consider joining the online World against racism rally showing solidarity with the fight against racism. https://www.facebook.com/events/525590474784471/
These are scary times, I wish you and your loved ones well.
Please stay safe, stay strong, we will come through this.
