The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented challenges globally. In addition to widespread loss of life, the virus is overwhelming health systems, eroding livelihoods, and devastating economies. These impacts disproportionately affect people living in poverty. BRAC has leveraged our network of 50,000 frontline staff and volunteers by sharing public health information, providing emergency supplies like food and water, assembling handwashing stations in public spaces, and distributing cash support.
The pandemic now affects every continent except Antartica, posing the greatest threat to vulnerable communities. While health concerns are an immediate threat, the economic and social consequences affecting vulnerable people could also prove catastrophic. Families are facing increasing unemployment, hunger, domestic violence, and children are unable to attend school at a vital point in their education is critical to protect the well-being of these underserved people in remote parts of the world.
BRAC has been providing emergency supplies like food and water, assembling handwashing stations in public places, assisting nearly 300,000 families with cash support, and disseminating lifesaving health and coronavirus prevention messages to more than 100 million people across 11 countries where BRAC operates. As the situation evolves, your contribution will help BRAC adapt, expand, and reach the most vulnerable families faster.
In times of crisis, the poorest always pay the steepest costs-in lives and livelihoods. This is more than a public health crisis. It is a humanitarian crisis. With lockdowns and social distancing measures crippling jobs and food production worldwide, millions are on the brink of poverty and starvation. According to the World Bank, COVID-19 will push 71 million more people into poverty. For more information about the impacts of the virus, visit https://covid19.bracinternational.nl/key-documents/
