URGENT BULLETIN : Latest Report From the Field
Stories | August 11, 2020
LATEST REPORT FROM THE FIELD
HYGIENE CRISIS: SOAP IS LIKE GOLD DUST NOW
Here in Australia we’re well used to the public health advice on washing our hands to break the COVID-19 cycle. But simple hand soap is a luxury item for millions of people living in poverty. So rare that many people are having to use ash instead.
The great news is CBM is working hard to distribute Hand washing Kits to people with disabilities whose families cannot afford to buy soap.
Hand washing Kits cost just $19 each – think of the lives you can help save simply by giving soap!
FACING DISASTER: MILLIONS LEFT WITHOUT WORK
In Bangladesh, more than 1 million garment factory workers were laid off at the end of March, with no guarantee of receiving any financial support. Many of the affected families are caring for a loved one with a disability, and now face extreme hardship and hunger. CBM is on hand to deliver direct cash support to these families and others whose earning capacity has been affected. But without your support, they face absolute disaster.
It is estimated the COVID-19 crisis will push 49 million people worldwide into extreme poverty this year. With an expected 23 million in Africa and 16 million in Asia. CBM is on the ground ready to support people severely affected. Providing practical help with our Emergency Aid Packages. Packages that will help a mother feed her starving children, packages that will help a father keep his family safe with soap and disinfectants.
HOSPITALS IN CRISIS: SICK PATIENTS TURNED AWAY
The doctors, nurses and healthcare workers you support need your help now more than ever. Facing COVID-19 without Personal Protective Equipment the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers you have generously supported in the past are now in danger themselves.
With thousands already infected with COVID-19, how can they possibly help treat the most vulnerable – people living in poverty with disabilities – now and in the future without you at their side.
To make matters worse, in countries like Bangladesh, there are only 1,169 public ICU beds available throughout the entire country, for a population of 161 million people.
It’s not hard to see that countries like Bangladesh faces an absolute disaster if the international community does not act now to help. CBM is already on the ground in the hardest hit locations. We are doing everything we can to help local hospitals so that people with disabilities are not left at the back of the queue.
Our response includes providing medics with Personal Protective Equipment such as masks, gowns, gloves and face shields, as well as special infrared thermometers.
SOCIAL DISTANCING: WHEN 2 METRES IS IMPOSSIBLE
We all know how rapidly COVID-19 spreads in densely populated cities.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is the most densely populated city in the world, with a staggering 41,000 people per square kilometre.
The average home is less than 12 square metres. That’s about a third the size of a small 1 bed studio apartment in Australia. In living conditions like this, it’s impossible to practice social distancing the way we can.
You cannot change the demographics of a massive city like Dhaka, but you can reach out to people with disabilities and their families to help them survive.
And every cent you give today will help us to do that.
ON THE GROUND: YOUR SUPPORT SAVING LIVES
Thanks to amazing supporters like you, CBM has been on the ground helping people affected by both extreme poverty and disability.
This means we’re the best placed, best connected and most capable international agency when it comes to helping people living with disabilities in extreme poverty.
Together, we can help them survive through the COVID-19 crisis facing them today.
But without you, people will be left alone to suffer and die. We cannot let this happen.
As God’s word says, he will not forget the love you have shown him as you have helped his people – could you help again as we reach out to the most vulnerable.
Please make a generous donation before 30 June. Thank you!
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” – Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)
Pledge to stand in solidarity with all our neighbours, and encourage our government to provide vital support to vulnerable nations by signing the End COVID For All pledge here.
https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/urgent-bulletin-latest-report-from-the-field