Cases of coronavirus are now increasingly being reported in the world’s poorest places, where the impact could be devastating. At times of crisis, people with disabilities are at greatest risk. They may not be able to hear about the best ways to protect themselves or be able to reach help should they become infected. They may also struggle to access essentials to keep themselves safe, like clean water and soap, and be unable to afford to stock up on food to cope with lock-down restrictions. In countries such as Rwanda, which now has over 80 confirmed cases, coronavirus is already having a major impact.
Dr Sylvain el-Khouri from CBM partner Kabgayi Eye Unit highlighted the vital importance of action to prevent the spread of the disease:
“I very much hope that the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa can contain the disease as a spreading here would be catastrophic…if coronavirus expands in low-income countries on the African continent, the damage to societies and the number of deaths may be dramatic.”
CBM is appealing for funds to help support the world’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus by:
- Ensuring that vital health messages about how to stay safe are accessible to all, including people with disabilities.
- Ensuring that people with disabilities are not forgotten – that they can still access food and vital supplies during times of lockdown.
- Protecting health and community outreach workers at our partner hospitals by ensuring they can access face masks, soap and hand sanitiser.
- Supporting people’s mental health and well-being through this time of crisis.
Kirsty Smith, CEO, said: “We’re doing everything we can to respond to the coronavirus pandemic as effectively and quickly as possible – the prayers and generosity of our supporters are needed now more than ever.
“We’re working urgently with our Country Offices and local partners in Africa and Asia to help them prepare and protect their staff, people with disabilities and their families. We’re also looking at how we can use our current healthcare and community projects & partners to support COVID responses and seeking to provide vital technical expertise so that people with disabilities can access help within our own programmes and those delivered by other development organisations.
“With your support, we’ve stood by our partners in times of crisis before, like the Ebola outbreak of 2015, to ensure they can protect the most vulnerable – and we’re ready to do it again.”
If you’d like to make a donation or find out more about CBM’s work call 0800 567 7000 or email info@cbmuk.org.uk
- Around 1 in 7 people have some form of disability according to the World Health Organisation – that’s over one billion people. Over 80% live in developing countries, where they are often the poorest and most excluded in their communities.
- (Cambridge-based/Christian) international disability charity CBM works in the world’s poorest places to prevent blindness, improve health and transform the lives of people with disabilities.
- CBM has a strong track record of responding to emergencies, working with local hospitals and organisations to provide life-saving aid to people with disabilities and helping rebuild lives and communities, and training and supporting other humanitarian organisations to include people with disabilities in their response.
Image: Fieldworkers at CBM partner PROMHANDICAM, Cameroon, cross their hands to form an X. This symbolises fighting Coronavirus by following WHO hygiene recommendations. PROMHANDICAM’s services to support people with disabilities have had to be scaled back, with all but the most urgent interventions cancelled.