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PHOTO ESSAY: What Local Solutions Look Like During A Pandemic

Take a visual journey through the extraordinary responses of grassroots organizations during one of the most significant global crises of our time: the COVID-19 pandemic.


 

From transforming circus props into essential safety gear to delivering hot meals to neighbors, communities worldwide demonstrated remarkable ingenuity and courage in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dive into this COVID-19 photo essay to witness the incredible efforts of local nonprofits on the front lines of stopping the pandemic, each a testament to human resilience and compassion and a lesson on how to face future challenges.

1. Staying brave: providing meals in the Rio Grande Valley

Two volunteers with United Way of Southern Cameron County delivering food.

Before the pandemic, the Rio Grande Valley was already struggling with food insecurity due to high unemployment and inflation. When the Coronavirus came to Texas, the crisis skyrocketed. The locally-rooted organization United Way of Southern Cameron County served more than seven million meals. This striking image of masked volunteers in a parking lot captures the courage and determination that fueled their tireless efforts to keep the community fed and supported.

2. Making deliveries: essential aid in Brazil

Volunteers delivering food packages in Brazil

In Brazil, Institutio Ekloos played a crucial role in addressing the needs of at-risk populations during the pandemic. Volunteers worked tirelessly to collect and distribute aid packages to those unable to shop for groceries due to health concerns and job losses. Their collaborative efforts with organizations from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo were vital in mitigating the pandemic’s impact on Brazil’s communities.

3. Suiting up: life-saving care in rural Kenya

Taking temperatures in Kenya

As the coronavirus raced through northern Kenya, it outstripped the availability of crucial supplies. Faced with high illiteracy rates and mounting fear, the nonprofit Community Health Africa Trust (CHAT) stepped in with a life-saving goal. Their African-led team runs a door-to-door campaign, educating community members about essential health measures while distributing vital supplies like thermometers, soap, water containers, PPE, and informational pamphlets.

4. Getting resourceful: circus props turned lifesavers in Afghanistan

Volunteers turning circus props into COVID safety gear

When the pandemic hit Afghanistan, the Mobile Mini Circus for Children quickly pivoted from entertainment to essential aid. They ingeniously repurposed circus props to create face shields and social distancing circles, rapidly deploying these resources throughout the city. Their innovative “social circus” also educated the public on coronavirus safety, showcasing their creative approach to crisis response.

5.Serving hope in dinner boxes: compassionate collaboration in Korea

Serving meals in Korea

In Daegu, South Korea, the closure of restaurants during lockdown left many children without school meals. A-PAD Korea stepped up, partnering with local restaurants to deliver thousands of hot meal boxes to children’s centers. This initiative not only provided critical nourishment to vulnerable children but also supported 67 struggling business owners, helping them navigate the economic challenges of the shutdown.

Thanks to the generosity of companies and donors who supported the GlobalGiving Coronavirus Relief Fund, the powerful acts of compassion captured above were made possible, lives were saved, and communities became more prepared for future challenges. We hope you enjoyed looking back with us through this COVID-19 photo essay.

This photo essay is part of an extended report on the impact of GlobalGiving’s Coronavirus Relief Fund. You can find the full report here.

Featured Photo: Burnout Relief for Healthcare Providers in Mexico by Atentamente Consultores

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