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COVID-19 will hit those in poverty the hardest

For those who live in extreme poverty, everything about COVID-19 is magnified: the risk, the fear, the uncertainty, the life-and-death realities. Children and families living in poverty are the most vulnerable in every way. They have no safety net. Hygiene is a luxury for many. If parents can't go out and work due to mandatory isolation, families can't eat.

COVID-19 has greatly increased the need among the countries and communities where our church partners work. In these unprecedented times, we're adapting fast. Our focus is still on caring for children, but when survival is on the line, that means supporting the world around them. During crisis and disaster situations, helping communities and caregivers is often the most critical and immediate way to help children.

That's why our COVID-19 Emergency Appeal is empowering our church partners to extend their care further. Give now to enable our church partners to provide children, families and wider communities with health and stability through hygiene, food and housing security.

Meet some of the families you're supporting

In the communities where Compassion serves, the situation is dire. Many families have lost their regular income and are struggling to keep food on the table. Supplies are scarce. Basic hygiene and safety are often seen as unrealistic luxuries.

"It has been a difficult two weeks," explains mum Dorcas, who lives in Kibera, Kenya's largest slum and works as a cleaner. "We have not been paid for this month since the boss had travelled to India and has been unable to come back."

"I pleaded with our landlord and paid a partial amount of the rent with money borrowed from a friend. While washing hands frequently is paramount to keeping the virus at bay, sometimes water is just not available, or we are forced to make the difficult choice between purchasing water or purchasing food to keep hunger pangs at bay."

"It has been a difficult two weeks,explains mum Dorcas, who lives in Kibera, Kenya's largest slum and works as a cleaner. "We have not been paid for this month since the boss had travelled to India and has been unable to come back."

"I pleaded with our landlord and paid a partial amount of the rent with money borrowed from a friend. While washing hands frequently is paramount to keeping the virus at bay, sometimes water is just not available, or we are forced to make the difficult choice between purchasing water or purchasing food to keep hunger pangs at bay."

This is a time where we as Christians have the opportunity to share God's love through our actions," Pastor Mathan, one of our Sri Lankan church partners explains. Determined to create awareness of good hygiene practices, Pastor Mathan initiated a local hand washing campaign, setting up a tent with two sinks and educational posters outside the public market in the centre of his town.

What's more, after identifying a lack of masks locally, his team began to make and distribute them to the local authorities and families. "I love our people from the bottom of my heart and in whatever way possible we need to show our love for one another, especially in this time."

This is a time where we as Christians have the opportunity to share God's love through our actions," Pastor Mathan, one of our Sri Lankan church partners explains. Determined to create awareness of good hygiene practices, Pastor Mathan initiated a local hand washing campaign, setting up a tent with two sinks and educational posters outside the public market in the centre of his town.

What's more, after identifying a lack of masks locally, his team began to make and distribute them to the local authorities and families. "I love our people from the bottom of my heart and in whatever way possible we need to show our love for one another, especially in this time."

Gladys, her husband Jonny and their six children live in the Colombian border town of Cucuta having fled Venezuela three years ago. When the COVID-19 quarantine restrictions began, Jonny was unable to continue selling sweets to earn a living, leaving the family in financial crisis, facing eviction. Compassion's church partner was able to come alongside the family.

"We contacted the owner of the family's house and paid the month of rent they owed and one more month," explains William Casallas, Compassion Partnership Facilitator. "I want to thank you for helping me because I am facing a hard situation. I have several children and we have not enough resources," shares Gladys.

Gladys, her husband Jonny and their six children live in the Colombian border town of Cucuta having fled Venezuela three years ago. When the COVID-19 quarantine restrictions began, Jonny was unable to continue selling sweets to earn a living, leaving the family in financial crisis, facing eviction. Compassion's church partner was able to come alongside the family.

"We contacted the owner of the family's house and paid the month of rent they owed and one more month," explains William Casallas, Compassion Partnership Facilitator. "I want to thank you for helping me because I am facing a hard situation. I have several children and we have not enough resources," shares Gladys.

Make a donation today

Give now to help those in poverty who are battling to survive because of the impact of COVID-19. Help our church partners extend their care further to the most vulnerable children, families and communities affected by COVID-19.
Your donation of £72 could enable a church to feed a family in lockdown for a month.
Your donation of £72 could enable a church to feed a family in lockdown for a month.
Or enter your own amount figure
£

Total: £72.00


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Your questions answered

Some of the questions you may have about our COVID-19 Emergency Appeal.

Your donation will provide vital stability to vulnerable children, families and wider communities in poverty. Our church partners share that the greatest needs they are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic are basic hygiene, nutrition and shelter.

Food security has become a severe risk for children and their families. The lack of employment during lockdown has made it difficult or impossible to purchase food. And as the global supply chain breaks down, many communities are experiencing shortages in the food supply. Those in poverty are hardest hit, and when food is available, the costs are rising – heightening the struggle as employment and income sources are drying up. Our appeal is providing:

  • Food kits that include essentials like rice, eggs, meat, milk, corn, and other non-perishable dry goods;
  • Ensuring pregnant and nursing mothers receive appropriate nutrition during the pandemic.
   
Need some extra help? Please don't hesitate to contact our friendly team on: 01932 836490. Lines are open from 10am-5pm Monday to Friday. Please leave a voicemail if you call outside these hours.

The Global Church is powerfully positioned to respond

In this season, we're leaning on our greatest strength to combat COVID-19: the consistent, steady presence of the local church that was faithfully serving before, and will continue to serve during and after COVID-19. Our church partners know children by name. They love and protect the most vulnerable in their communities each and every day.

Testimonies from the parents, pastors and team we're serving

These testimonies from our colleagues, church partners, and the children we serve, speak powerfully of the impact COVID-19 is having on those living in poverty.

Children living in poverty are more at risk - the healthcare system in countries which we serve are not able to handle a pandemic.

Palamanga Ouali, Compassion Regional Vice President for Africa

The people who are suffering the most are the poorest of the poor - there are children who are now at home without food

Richmond Wandera, Compassion Graduate, Compassion UK trustee, and Ugandan Pastor

A pandemic like COVID-19, plus the challenges of poverty, equals a real global crisis for the world's poor unlike anything we have seen in generations. This crisis has the potential to undo at least 10 years of progress toward poverty alleviation in developing countries.

Sidney Muisyo, Compassion Head of Global Programme

With the lockdown, I was not able to get food to feed my children and myself. I earn a living making pottery. When the lockdown was announced, we were told only people selling food were allowed to sell in the market. This was a blow to so many of us. We hadn't saved money for such times and we don't even have a garden to harvest from.

Rachel, mum, Rwanda

Give now to help the most vulnerable children, families and communities affected by COVID-19.

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Compassion UK Christian Child Development, registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee, Registered in England and Wales company number 03719092. Registered address: Compassion House, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT.

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