NZ fundraiser for UNHCR Covid-19 outbreak appeal to support & protect refugees

COVID-19 is a situation unlike anything we’ve faced before – it has already hit refugee settlements in Bangladesh and threatens millions of refugees worldwide.

Refugees and other displaced people belong to the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society. They are particularly at risk during this coronavirus disease outbreak because they often have limited access to water, sanitation systems and health facilities.

Over 80 per cent of the world’s refugees and nearly all the world’s internally displaced people are hosted in low- and middle-income countries. They frequently face specific challenges and vulnerabilities that must be taken into consideration in COVID-19 readiness and response operations. Keeping the most vulnerable safe means keeping everyone safe.

We are all doing all we can to protect our families. But imagine going through this crisis with no access to soap or water. No hope of isolating yourself and your loved ones because you don’t have a home to stay safely inside.

That’s the reality for millions of refugees. And that’s why we need your help to act now. As friends and colleagues, we've teamed up to help raise at least $10,000 for UNHCR's urgent Covid-19 relief appeal in the lead up to World Refugee Day (20 June) - but we need your help to achieve our ambitious target.

We (Guled Mire & Ange Minchin) have teamed up with the recently established New Zealand branch of 'Australia for UNHCR' - The UN Refugee Agency's official fundraising partner in the wider Australasia region (visit http://unrefugees.org.nz to learn more about the work of this organisation) to help us pass our funds to the right channels in order to deliver lifesaving supplies & support to refugees in places like Bangladesh, Yemen & Syria.

With your help, we are collecting urgent donations so we are:

- Ensuring clean water and soap are readily available

- Providing lifesaving information to families

- Airlifting medical aid and hygiene items to areas affected by the virus

- Increasing the number of hand-washing stations, isolation and treatment centres in refugee camps

- Equipping health care workers with the supplies and training they need

But we can’t tackle this pandemic alone. Please donate today.

We will only overcome this crisis if we unite and help the most vulnerable refugees together.