Below is a field report from Ann, one of the tireless volunteers at Help without Frontiers (HwF). HwF is currently providing emergency food packages to displaced people from Myanmar in Thailand who have seen their income being wiped out in the wake of COVID-19. (You can read more here: COVID-19 Response)
On the 4th day of delivering our "Food Sets" for Life" we went to the Khok Kwai community. Most members here are Muslim. Throughout the morning we delivered food packages to 36 families.
Most families here earn a living from either garbage collection, raising goats, factory work or driving a motorcycle taxi.
In the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdown many families have seen their income evaporate. Not having enough food to eat has led many to get into debt problems.
Within the community there are vulnerable groups. Some are breastfeeding mothers (many of whom are single mothers) and some struggle with chronic illnesses. Some aid is being given through other organizations but typically it is not enough to sustain these families. Today and yesterday we received help from volunteers Ton and Patrick from Paly on Side.
Today's distribution wasn't enough to provide for all the families in the community. This led to some families feeling like they had not received equal treatment. As a result of this we decided to revise our distribution plan. The new approach is to work more closely with the community leaders, volunteer more in this community and to look for better ways to distribute food in the future.
You can help Help Without Frontiers with their emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis. For donations, please see our dedicated page on how you can support them: COVID-19 Response. If you are not in a position to donate, please consider sharing this message on social media to spread the word.
You can help Help Without Frontiers with their emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis. For donations, please see our dedicated page on how you can support them: COVID-19 Response. If you are not in a position to donate, please consider sharing this message on social media to spread the word.