Community crisis events often do two things: First, they show which local organizations and community leaders have built the most trust, as this is where people first go to for help. These local organizations and leaders are also the first to drop everything and respond to emergency needs because they know at these moments, being present and doing what you can matters. Second, crisis events often push those who are already living on the smallest of margins to a breaking point. The most vulnerable are almost always hit the hardest, regardless of the crisis.

The impact of Coronavirus in Dzaleka Refugee Camp has highlighted these two realities. Many in the community have first turned to their local church and Pastors for guidance, hope, and physical and emotional support. This is because these churches and leaders have built tremendous trust through their work and presence in the community. Refugees have also seen the limited aid coming into the refugee camp dry up even further, as aid organizations have been forced to cut hours, budgets, and programs. This has left many in the camp struggling with food security.

Over the past 2 months, IAFR has been working with There Is Hope Malawi and our refugee church partners to respond. We have gotten behind their initiatives to help combat the spread of the virus through dedicated hand-washing stations and community educational efforts. Together, we have partnered with 89 churches in the camp to set up hand-washing stations and stock them with the soap needed to keep them operating effectively. We have also supported efforts to provide food for targeted groups/individuals in the camp. This includes supporting up to 200 people each month who are in quarantine due to COVID-19 regulations.

We will continue to support these efforts through August (minimum) and are starting to look at future needs with our partners at There Is Hope. This includes increased hand-washing stations for the 206 students learning in their vocational training programs once classes begin again – hopefully in late July or August.

As a reminder $10 helps sustain a hand washing station for a month and $10 helps support one person in the community with food supplements for a month. If you would like to continue to support these efforts and more, you can go here and select “Dzaleka” under Ministry Locations to give a gift toward our Covid-19 response.