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.
 
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  • 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. 
 

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  • 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 ⁠

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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!
 

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