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As the world is facing a health crisis, it is natural for each person to focus on their own and their family\u2019s personal wellbeing. However it is in times of crisis when we must see the true face of humanity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What the COVID-19 coronavirus has reminded\nus is that our wellbeing is reliant on the wellbeing of others \u2013 for our loved\nones to be safe from this virus an entire community must take precautions.\nMeasures like staying at home, social distancing, self-isolation and taking an\nabundance of caution when going out of your home only work when we do it\ntogether. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this time, we must remember the\ncommunities that are at most risk \u2013 those without a home, without safety,\nwithout the means to protect themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the case for displaced communities\nall over the world. Families who have sought refuge in camps, shelters, squats,\ntents or on the side of a street are at most risk for contracting and spreading\na highly contagious virus like COVID-19. While measures of protection that\ngovernments have taken apply to these communities as well, they continue to\nneed extra support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These communities often rely on\nhumanitarian organisations for basic needs: food, water, education and mental\nhealth support. In lieu of this health crisis, however, many of these services\nhave been halted, leaving hundreds forgotten and unprotected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What these communities need is simple\u2014it\u2019s\nthe same three things we all need to protect ourselves: 1) hygiene materials in\norder to sanitize their place of stay and be sure they are safe from\ncontracting the virus 2) accurate information on the COVID-19 coronavirus and\nhow to use those sanitation materials for prevention and 3) access to screening\nand immediate medical services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in a country where your access\nto these three things are limited, imagine if you were living in a refugee camp\n\u2013 your place of stay is hundreds of kilometres away from a hospital or clinic,\nyou have no information from government on how to respond, except for being\ntold to stay inside. But you still read information on social media about how\ndeadly the virus is; fear and panic spreads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being alongside these families in this health crisis not only protects their wellbeing and safety, it also helps flatten the curve \u2013 on a worldwide basis. If we do not act, and the virus is able to spread throughout these communities, lives will be lost and global containment will be many more months away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n