Charities and aid organisations are struggling during the pandemic, losing millions of pounds in vital revenue, and the people who depend on their support are struggling all the more. Can we help? We asked some of the organisations Reform works with to tell us how they are responding to Covid-19, and how we can support their work.

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Médecins Sans Frontières

As Covid-19 continues to spread, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are racing to respond to the pandemic in the 70-plus countries in which it runs programmes, while opening projects in new countries as they become pandemic hotspots. MSF’s Covid-19 response focuses on three main priorities: supporting health authorities to provide care for patients with Covid-19, protecting people who are vulnerable and at risk, and keeping essential medical services running. In the hundreds of health facilities MSF works in around the world, teams have rolled out infection control measures and reorganised services to prevent transmission.

To find out more, or to donate, visit msf.org.uk/covid-19 or call 020 7404 6600.

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Age UK

Age UK and its network have seen a huge surge in older people seeking authoritative information, guidance, reassurance and practical support during the pandemic. They have answered 436,000 calls for help on the advice line and responded to 109,000 calls with isolated people through their telephone friendship service. Age UK’s 130 local branches provide shopping and medicine delivery. However, dealing with coronavirus is a marathon not a sprint. Age UK’s national information, advice and friendship services are gearing up, not winding down. The impact of lockdown on older people and the threat of Covid-19 will last for many months. Age UK urgently needs your support to ensure they can be there for the vulnerable older people that need them.

To find out more, or to donate, visit ageuk.org.uk/reform or call 0800 077 8751 (lines are open from 9am to 5pm).

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Christian Aid

The coronavirus outbreak threatens the health of our neighbours near and far – people already facing a lack of water, food, housing and healthcare. With local partners, Christian Aid is working to limit Covid-19’s impact in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. To help keep people safe, the charity is partnering with faith leaders to teach people about the risks of the outbreak; providing soap, water and hand-washing sessions; and equipping health facilities with supplies. It is at times like these that we recognise we are all in this together. Coronavirus impacts all of us. But love unites us all.

To find out more, or to donate, visit caid.org.uk/coronavirus or call 020 7523 2493.

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All We Can

All We Can has been working with the Methodist Church to launch a global response to coronavirus. Their local partners have faced challenges in delivering this essential work, including pandemic-induced price rises, a lack of awareness about the virus, and the impact of stringent lockdown measures. In Uganda, lockdown has prevented the use of public transport, making access to vital services – markets and healthcare facilities – a struggle. All We Can’s local partner in Uganda has been providing regularly sanitised bicycles as tools for transportation and transformation. You can see daily updates and videos on facebook.com/allwecanuk.

To find out more, or to donate, visit allwecan.org.uk/coronavirus or call 020 7467 5132.

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Mission Aviation Fellowship

Uganda has had it tough. A locust invasion in February (the worst in 70 years) followed by two months of coronavirus restrictions was bad enough. Then came the floods. On 7 May, nearly 25,000 homes were swept away and 173,000 people were displaced when heavy rains in western Uganda caused four rivers to burst. Biblical plagues call for a biblical response. For 75 years, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has been flying in response to humanitarian crisis, reaching the world’s most vulnerable people. With restrictions lifting and floods receding, MAF finally got the call. On 29 May, MAF flew essential, lifesaving supplies to Kasese, western Uganda (pictured).

For more information, or to donate, visit www.maf-uk.org/give or call 01303 852819.

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YMCA

YMCA’s work stretches across every aspect of the community: the homeless young people relying on sanctuary, the key workers whose children remain in YMCA’s nurseries, the vulnerable still receiving mental health support, the isolated engaging with friends through virtual youth work. YMCA has a long history of support and a sense of community in crisis. Today is no different. As the organisation continues this vital work, it wants to make one thing very clear: ‘YMCA is here for you, lean on it when you need to and help support it however you can.’ YMCA has been part of the community for over 175 years, and fully intends to be here for another 175.

To find out more, or to donate, visit ymca.org.uk
or call 020 7186 9518.

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This article was published in the July/August 2020 edition of Reform

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