Tearfund’s community development partners have been working to support the Covid-19 response around the globe.  Restrictions on movement vary from country to country and some have been required to lock down completely, but a lot are supporting the agriculture and health services that are considered essential and can continue to operate. 



While in New Zealand we have been shielded from a lot of Covid-19's effects, some of our partners are working in areas that feel more like war zones:  A worker in Ethiopia writes, “Our farmers and partners are like the builders during the time of Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the temple. “…Those who carried the materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other,” (Nehemiah 4:17).  They work with the fear of the virus around them; their weapons are soap and face masks. 

The staff of our partners in the hardest-hit areas continue to work with diligence while coping with the deaths of friends and family members.  Some continue to work but worry about their extended family members living further away.

We hear common themes from the reports they send in.  They are working hard to:
  • Teach correct health messages and combat false information and stories that are being spread by fear.  Simple awareness of what a virus is and how to prevent its spread is key in communities where education levels are low.  Awareness campaigns and the reach of small-group networks are used to give people the correct information.
 
​
  • Provide hygiene supplies: soap, sanitizing products, masks.  In the refugee camps in Lebanon, face masks are extra important, as the government has stipulated that people are not allowed to enter any shop or supermarket without one.  Our partner makes sure that they have both the food vouchers and masks that they need for survival. 
 

Would you like to join in helping refugees stay safe during this pandemic?

Learn More

 
  • In refugee camps in Bangladesh they are also distributing home isolation kits for high-risk people in households with suspected and confirmed cases of the virus.
  • Supplying food.  We hear a lot about food insecurity; either people can’t afford food, or it’s not available.  Partners are giving out essential food kits, and in some cases, cash transfers to ensure markets keep operating. Ethiopia has had the added disaster of a locust plagueand the country is heading towards a food crisis.
 

• Our partners are making sure that people understand their government entitlements and can access them.

• Despite Covid-19 human trafficking has not slowed down. In fact, there has been a rise of online exploitation, Covid-19 is only increasing vulnerabilities. Through our partner in Thailand, we have helped remove 25 victims from harm, arrest eight offenders and secure NZ$45,000 in compensation for survivors of trafficking.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A LIFT analyst identified an Australian predator who was openly looking for sex with children on Twitter. LIFT investigators then worked to confirm his identity and location. ⁠ ⁠ We brought the information to local authorities and they took immediate action. Tuesday morning, LIFT assisted in the arrest of the offender and our forensic team extracted images of child sexual abuse on his devices. ⁠ ⁠ Additionally, we ensured that immigration was involved. Following jail time here, this predator will no longer be allowed in Thailand and will have time to serve when he returns to Australia.⁠ ⁠ --⁠ ⁠ #endhumantrafficking #endslavery #humantrafficking #humantraffickingawareness #modernslavery #notforsale #sextrafficking #childsextrafficking #childsexabuse #socialjustice #stophumantrafficking⁠ ⁠

A post shared by LIFT International (@liftinternational) on


Everywhere they work, there is one thing in common. People are grateful and express their heartfelt thanks. Please know that your support is impacting the poorest of the poor and alleviating much suffering- Thank you!
 

Related posts

Coronavirus and hunger will adversely impact poor children NZ aid agencies warn

Coronavirus and hunger will adversely impact poor children NZ aid agencies warn

Tuesday, 14 July 2020 — Tearfund New Zealand

Thirteen NZ aid organisations are warning that children in low-income countries will be the most affected by the global pandemic and hunger, and they are encouraging Kiwis to help resource their global neighbours to deal effectively with the situation. The release today of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World by the UN has prompted the call to action.
 

Read more

My experience living in a refugee camp – “I still get nightmares”

My experience living in a refugee camp – “I still get nightmares”

Monday, 22 June 2020 — Rafique-Rohingya Refugee

Read the first-hand account of a former Rohingya refugee who lived in a refugee camp for 18 years. In 1991, Rafique, his parents and his baby sister, fled Myanmar with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They now live peacefully in New Zealand but his experience still haunts him.
 

Read more

A Decade in Ethical Fashion

A Decade in Ethical Fashion

Wednesday, 20 May 2020 — Ally Turner

Think back 10 years and picture your wardrobe. Choker chains were back in business, cardigans had moved from your nana’s wardrobe to your own and jeggings were rearing their somewhat questionable head.  While those trends have come and gone, another trend that has been growing over that time has been towards ethics in the fashion industry. On day one of this series, Ally Turner from Baptist World Aid Australia is here to tell us more about what brought about that change... read on!
 

Read more

Covid 19 and Refugees – When Self-Isolation is a Privilege

Covid 19 and Refugees – When Self-Isolation is a Privilege

Tuesday, 07 April 2020 — Victoria Hanna

There are an estimated 1.7 billion people around the world are in isolation today. But what about the people that are unable to self-isolate? The homeless, the unwanted, the refugee. What will happen to them?

Read more

“They came suddenly, at night. It was a Friday.”

“They came suddenly, at night. It was a Friday.”

Thursday, 13 February 2020 — Medair

Rahim* always dreamt of becoming a doctor. As a child growing up in a small village in Rakhine State, in western Myanmar, he observed his uncle – a doctor – and decided he wanted to follow in his footsteps. However, Rahim and his family were forced to flee, leaving all their possessions behind due to the Rohingya crisis, and it seemed his dream of becoming a doctor was far from ever coming true.

Read more

A Biblical Lens on Mozambique

A Biblical Lens on Mozambique

Friday, 17 May 2019 — Sean du Toit

When disasters like the Mozambique cyclones strike, we can find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and disheartened by the scale of human suffering. Our Restore cause is based on the biblical belief that we are called to respond with compassion to those in need and that we have a duty to seek 'shalom' in this world. Often, this can seem like a discouraging and overwhelming mission – but we believe that we are called to work towards the redemption of this world here and now. We also believe that ultimately, we will see redemption completed through Jesus.

Read more

Show more

Recent posts

Sustainable agriculture transforming lives in Vanuatu

Monday, 12 April 2021

The key word is "sustainability". Instead of pouring money and resources into just the emergency needs, Tearfund's Farming and Enterprise partner in Vanuatu invests in a sustainable model that will hopefully outgrow the need for funding. An ambulance on the ground is unquestionably essential, but not nearly as powerful or effective as a fence on top of the cliff.

 

What are Self Help Groups and how do they transform lives?

Thursday, 08 April 2021

Self Help Groups are a simple, yet highly effective way to help lift women and their families out of poverty. They also provide emotional support and teach valuable life skills. They help women access a better future and have a positive impact on generations to come.  


 

Gisele's salvation transforms her family

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Gisele's family were not Christians when she was registered into the Child Sponsorship Programme. After she gave her heart to the Lord as a young girl, her greatest prayer was that her parents would share her faith. This is a story of how God turned a trial into a testimony and answered her prayer.

*All names have been changed to protect identities

 

God honours a little boy’s big faith

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Although seven-year-old Elvis wasn't scheduled to receive a Bible at his Compassion centre, he insisted until the staff gave him one. Since then, Elvis, whose persistent prayers for his father's salvation were honoured by God, has become an example of great faith to others.