No one is safe until everyone is safe: World Jewish Relief’s global response to Covid-19

Since March, WJR has been helping participants mitigate the impact of the virus. Much of its focus has been on the vulnerable elderly Jewish communities in Ukraine and Moldova.

No one is safe until everyone is safe: World Jewish Relief’s global response to Covid-19

The Covid-19 virus has had a devastating effect on the lives and livelihoods of many in our community. But we are now increasingly worried about the impact this crisis will have on communities we work with in places where healthcare systems are weak and
economies fragile.

Since March, we have been helping our participants mitigate the impact of the virus. Much of our focus has been on the vulnerable elderly Jewish communities in Ukraine and Moldova.

Our brave homecare workers have been delivering food parcels, medicine and supplies to thousands of home-bound individuals while also providing safe companionship.

We’ve been prioritising the provision of food parcels to families who have lost their sources of income.

Close to the conflict area in eastern Ukraine, we’ve also supplied protective equipment to hospitals, care homes and care workers.

Liudmila, 78, had no way of getting food or medicines. “I don’t know what I would have done without homecare. I would have just been left to die. I don’t have the words to express how grateful I am,” she said.

And, of course, we are proud to be supporting communities beyond our own. In the overcrowded Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, we are distributing hygiene kits and face masks. In Mozambique, still reeling from last year’s cyclone, we have distributed hand washing kits to thousands and, here in the UK, we are supporting Syrian refugees who have lost their jobs with food parcels and supermarket vouchers. One recipient told us: “You helped me in the hardest time, thank you.”

WJR chief executive Paul Anticoni said: “Working across 15 countries, each response has to be tailored to meet the needs of the most vulnerable communities. We have a responsibility to make sure we continue to look out as well as in, and to help those most at risk.”

Covid-19 is a global pandemic. No one is safe until everyone is safe. World Jewish Relief will continue to do everything we can to support those affected.