Allyson Bear is Lutheran World Relief’s Vice President of Quality, Impact & Learning and is leading our global response to coronavirus.
Right now, we’re all staying in our homes, doing our part to flatten the curve of the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. During this uncertain time, I recognize how difficult it can be to think beyond the immediate future, beyond our own four walls, beyond our own vulnerabilities.
But we are a social species, and we need each other. As we practice social distancing to protect the neighbors in our own communities, let’s also remember that our global neighbors across Africa need all the support we can offer.
Our response to COVID-19 in Africa
This is not a time to panic but to take swift action. IMA World Health and Lutheran World Relief have deep experience mobilizing effective responses to emergencies, including the recent Ebola outbreaks in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
But we need your generosity to bring critical support to Africa. To health care workers on the frontlines, and to vulnerable families.
In partnership with Christian health associations across Africa and trusted local partners, we are doing everything in our power to reduce the impact of COVID-19.
With your donation right now, you’ll:
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Rush equipment and supplies to health facilities to keep patients and hero health workers safe.
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Equip churches, schools and community leaders to educate families about coronavirus prevention, symptoms and treatment.
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Support local tracing of those who have come in contact with the disease to track and contains its spread.
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Provide our partners on the ground with up-to-date guidelines and best practices for COVID-19 response.
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Support data collection so that governments and public health experts can more accurately track and respond to the outbreak.
Additionally, everywhere we work, Lutheran World Relief and IMA World Health are taking measures to protect our staff, partners and the communities we serve during this pandemic. We are in this together, and my hope is that, during this time of widespread social distancing, the world will understand just how much we really need each other.