Supporting The World’s Most Vulnerable
During this unique and difficult time of worldwide crisis, there are countless families, individuals and businesses struggling to survive.
Literally.
Many companies throughout the world are scaling back their workforces and production numbers because of a sharp decrease in demand for their products which is leaving many families and individuals across the globe without a source of income.
More specifically, the global refugee population is feeling the stress of COVID-19/coronavirus. Whether they are living in specified living areas such as Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp and Jordan’s Zataari refugee camp, or living within urban cities, refugees are being greatly affected by this global crisis.
Oftentimes, the living conditions for refugees in camps or urban areas are small and densely populated which is a perfect environment for COVID-19 transmission. On top of these poor living conditions, the countries where many refugees are hosted are not capable of providing the medical support needed to diagnose and treat those infected. In a report by the UN’s Department of Global Communications on the response to COVID-19, they state that “over 80 per cent of the world’s refugees and nearly all the world’s internally displaced people are hosted in low- and middle-income countries, where health systems are mostly weak.”
As the pandemic continues and increasingly affects these countries with poor healthcare systems, there will be incredible effects felt by the local economies and social environments.
Figuring out our own response to this pandemic in the United States is no doubt a very real challenge which affects millions of people. Jobs and working hours are being cut, families are having to be flexible with their jobs and their children’s virtual schooling along with so much of everyday life being altered. However, we cannot forget about refugees and those less fortunate in developing countries who have limited healthcare access and less-than-optimal living conditions.
How can we help refugees dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic? Here are the top three ways we’re able to assist refugees.
1. Raise Awareness
This might seem like a vague way of helping refugees struggling during this pandemic, but creating awareness is a powerful tool in supporting refugees across the globe. Many individuals are busy in their personal day-to-day environments, not aware of the events happening on the other side of the globe. Spreading the message of refugees who are in need may resonate with a few individuals who also each share the stories and cause the message to grow exponentially.
This tactic of raising awareness can happen many different ways. One popular means of telling refugees’ stories can happen via social media. This global media connection is an incredible way to connect with others who share the same passion of empowering the global refugee population along with sharing stories with those who are not familiar with the cause.
Another great way of introducing refugees’ stories into your community is through conversations with those you’re around. Whether you’re at work or talking with your neighbor in the backyard, face-to-face conversation allows you to accurately convey the emotion you feel towards this cause.
2. Support Businesses With Refugee-Created Products
Is it really possible to purchase a product which was created by a Syrian refugee living in Iraq?
Yes!
Because of the tool of the internet, there are great opportunities to support refugees by purchasing their handmade goods. The crew at Preemptive Love has a group of products which consists of various handmade goods created by refugees based in Iraq. Here, you can purchase products from Syrian refugees such as knit dolls, soap, candles and more!
Another neat opportunity to purchase goods from refugees comes from The Little Market where they have a host of products and businesses to choose from. They carry many different brands such as Prosperity Candle, WomenCraft and Canaan Palestine, just to name a few. Whether you’re looking for great smelling candles, intricately woven baskets or fresh olive oil, The Little Market is the place to go!
Finally, here at Epimonia, our handcrafted bracelets are made from recycled life-vests worn by refugees as they made their way to safety across the Mediterranean Sea. Each bracelet is handmade by refugees here in the United States and right now, through our Humanity-19 campaign, 100% of the profits are being donated to three different charities: USA for UNHCR, Border Kindness and Penny Appeal USA.
3. Financial Donations
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, many local economies throughout the world are being severely impacted. The story is the same for refugee camps. As governments urge its citizens to social distance and pause their going into work, the effects are clearly felt by refugees who are already struggling to bring in enough money for their family to survive. Through the generous donations to various charities such as Unicef or USA for UNHCR, refugees can receive the healthcare and food supplies they need in order to survive this crisis.
Let's Come Together!
Though this time of pandemic is trying and stressful for all of us, it’s important to remember those less fortunate and do what each of us can to support these refugees in need. Will you join us? Let’s come together and each play our part in spreading hope and love through supporting global refugees.