The coronavirus pandemic is spreading to countries already affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters. There are now hundreds of thousands of confirmed cases in some 175 countries and territories around the world.
The epidemic will have a dramatic impact on people living in countries where health facilities have already been undermined by conflict or extreme poverty. The virus could spread rapidly in countries with overcrowded refugee camps like Kenya, Bangladesh and Lebanon, where the death toll is likely to be very high.
Ninety-four percent of the 55 countries where the organisation works are affected.
It is vital to prevent the unchecked spread of the pandemic in Africa, Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Although only a small number of cases have been reported in many of these countries, now is the time for action. This is why our teams are working with beneficiaries where still possible to adapt their response, reduce the spread of the virus and protect people to the best of their abilities.
Wherever possible, Humanity & lnclusion’s teams are making changes to the way they work to slow the spread of the pandemic in the field. They are reviewing their current response and implementing new projects to protect people from the virus and deal with the impact of the crisis, with a focus on people with disabilities, children, women, and isolated and older people.
44
Number of affected countries where HI works
233
Number of HI projects in response (partial or complete) to Covid-19
INFORMING
our teams of the protection and hygiene measures to implement
SUPPORTING
vulnerable individuals: people with disabilities, injured or displaced people and refugees
ADAPTING
our actions to developments in the pandemic: an operational response to support the collective effort
Humanity & Inclusion (HI) has today published a report on the difficulties children with disabilities face in accessing education in the world’s poorest countries. Valentina Pomatto, Inclusion Advocacy Officer for HI, explains the obstacles to inclusive education.
In Uganda, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) has adapted 3D printing technology used for physical rehabilitation to produce protective face visors for health professionals on the front line
As part of its response to the Covid-19 crisis, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is providing support to Venezuelan refugees in Colombia, where one million people have been infected the virus. The impact of the epidemic has been dramatic.