Electra Simon
COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUNDRAISER - AFGHANISTAN
Fundraising for EMERGENCY
Story
Coronavirus is impacting us all. However, at ISHKAR we have friends and colleagues in Afghanistan where the situation is already extremely precarious. Afghanistan's weak health system is stretched to its limits, and the country is coping with renewed hostilities with the Taliban, a disputed presidential election and the announcement this week that the US is reducing aid by US$1 billion.
We can't sit passively as the virus spreads. That is why we are launching a campaign to raise £18,000 for the health workers serving on the frontlines of this battle: EMERGENCY hospitals in Afghanistan.
Tens of thousands of Afghans have recently returned from neighbouring Iran, bringing widespread risk of infection throughout poverty stricken areas of Afghanistan. Stalled in a political impasse, and facing renewed hostilities, the country's health system is poorly prepared to cope with the outbreak.
It is particularly challenging to enforce social-distancing measures in any society, let alone such a communal one. "Afghans are very social people with several generations, up to 30-50 people in rural areas, living in the same home" explains Nick Bishop, who is leading the IOM's response to Covid-19 in Afghanistan.
Conditions are rife for viral transmission and it will hit the population hard. Food and transport costs have already risen (as much as 50% in some places) because. And all of this is before considering the country's limited access to medical care.
We are looking to raise funds for EMERGENCY Hospitals, whose work in Afghanistan we have admired for many years. Having dealt with the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, EMERGENCY’s medical staff are deeply experienced in handling similar situations.
EMERGENCY has four centres and remote first aid clinics across Afghanistan and have treated over 7 million patients since 1999. These remote clinics include offering services in prisons and rehabilitation centres, as well as two Kabul orphanages.
As COVID-19 spreads, these centres will be in critical need of support. We hope to raise enough funds to provide EMERGENCY hospitals with protective essentials like hand-sanitiser and face masks. But EMERGENCY's work goes beyond treating COVID-19 patients, and the funds raised will also directly supporting their treatment of other vulnerable individuals.
"EMERGENCY Afghanistan really provide an excellent service it is something worth investing in." - Nick Bishop, leading the IOM’s response to Covid-19 in Afghanistan.
HERE IS WHAT YOUR SUPPORT CAN DO:
- £5 pays for a day of free meals for one of EMERGENCY’s hospital patients in Afghanistan
- £50 provides the medicine needed for two children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Afghanistan
- £125 provides a week’s support in one of EMERGENCY’s clinics in Kabul prisons.
- £500 supports one month’s support in one of EMERGENCY’s clinics in Kabul prisons
- £2,500 will fully run a First Aid Post in Afghanistan for a month, providing treatment even to the most remote areas of Afghanistan.
WE WON'T USE YOUR MONEY FOR:
This is a non profit initiative, everything we raise will be used for EMERGENCY’S efforts to reduce and treat the spread in Afghanistan. Anything you are able to give will be greatly appreciated!
- No money will be spent on management costs, administration or rent
- No money will be spent on advertising
- No money will be spent in EMERGENCY's hospitals/projects outside of Afghanistan.
OUR TARGET:
We initially launched this campaign to raise £18,000 which is enough to fully fund more than seven first aid posts in the most remote parts of rural Afghanistan, however, we want to be able to do more. Our new target is now £35,000. The situation is evolving rapidly and we will continue to update these amounts as per EMERGENCY's needs in response to the pandemic.
If you would like further information, please don't hesitate to write to us fundraising@ishkar.com. Thank you in advance for anything you can donate!
Love,
ISHKAR team.