Who is the campaign for?

We are running this campaign on behalf of Abdoul - a community activist and representative from East Africa who is raising funds for herself and other queer and transgender refugees.

They face homophobic attacks and anti lgbt hate crimes - most recently being attacked and having their food stolen and their tent slashed open. This is often from fellow refugees but also local community members.

Your donations can help with :

- Transport costs for LGBT refugees with successful applications to asylum countries like Canada so they can flee persecution

- Food for refugees still stuck in homophobic shelters - rice, meat or chicken, vegetables, cooking oil, cooking charcoal/firewood, etc.

- Water - there is a shortage in East Africa and we source this through bottled water which is more expensive as local taps are often dried out

- Medical Care - menstrual products (pads), medication, medical expenses, aftercare from attacks, hospital and clinic expenses.

- Shelter: bedding, blankets, tents.

Life in the Refugee Camp:

Life in the refugee camp is extremely hard for the LGBTQIA+ community due to rampant HOMOPHOBIA within the camp. This is witnessed through daily attacks by fellow refugees and the co-host community.

LGBTQIA+ refugees live under great fear. They are being targeted; this has resulted in severe injuries where they are ambushed by armed groups with machetes.

3 of their community members have already been lost to this violence.

In a recent attack two LGBTQ+ refugees were set on fire. They suffered third degree burns, which resulted in one losing his life while the other is on life support in hospital.

Sexual harassment has also been witnessed in the refugee camp. Lesbian community members have been SA'd twice.

The LGBTQ+ community lives under great suffering due to the fact they are willing to work to earn a living but fail to get employment opportunities due to their sexual orientation.

They have faced illness related to poor standards of living and increased mental health issues.

Since the USAID funding was cut, they have been unable to access proper medical treatment. Medical services within the camp are affected by discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, and many of their community members are denied care.

These issues have been reported repeatedly to the relevant authorities, but no effective support has been provided. As a result, they are forced to seek assistance from LGBTQ organizations and individual well-wishers to obtain medication from private hospitals in the camp, which has been extremely difficult and expensive.

Additionally, food provided to them, as distributed by the UNHCR, is not enough to sustain them for even a month.

Despite all the misery, they try to find some time to ease the stress celebrating official LGBTQIA+ days and festivals. They recently celebrated Pride Day and also had some couples officially get married while maintaining a low profile.

They are seeking support to overcome scarcity and hunger.

They will be very glad to receive any positive support in terms of financial help, advice and advocacy !