COVID19 Relief for people with Albinism
COVID19 Food and Healthcare Relief.
Protection and well-being of persons with albinism, who are increasingly vulnerable amid the COVID-19 crisis as lockdowns across the region hinder access to healthcare facilities and skin cancer clinics as well as vital sunscreen lotions. Persons with albinism are at increased risk of attacks for their body parts during the lockdowns because they are locked down in insecure homes and communities with suspected perpetrators. “We know marginalized groups have greater difficulty exercising their human rights, including accessing healthcare and livelihoods in normal times. They are so much more vulnerable during a pandemic.”
Governments across the region have introduced a number of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including lockdowns and curfews. While these lockdown measures are being relaxed in some countries, they remain tight in other countries making it difficult for people to move around freely. Shops have been shut, public transport reduced, and specialized health services cut off in many places.
As a result, persons with albinism are struggling to access healthcare facilities for skin cancer testing and treatment, get treatment for visual impairments or buy sunscreen lotion, which is not always readily available particularly in rural areas.
Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that prevents the body from making enough colour, or melanin, to protect the skin from the sun. Due to their skin sensitivity to light and sun exposure, persons with albinism are likely to suffer from sunburn leading to skin cancer and other skin-related conditions. Therefore, they require sunscreen and other remedies to protect them, something those living in poverty cannot afford without government assistance.
Governments have provided food aid and stimulus packages to help people cope with the pandemic. However, persons with albinism are often excluded from accessing state aid, such as social grants, in some countries due to access criterion that does not view their condition as a disability. GLOBAL AID MISSIONS has been partnering to several organisations in mobilizing resources to channel towards the welfare of people with albinism particularly in Zimbabwe.
So far, we have distributed grocery hampers and sunscreen lotions to over 360 families of persons with albinism and still have more than 1800 families who haven’t got anything.
We are appealing to various donors and well-wishers to support the relief program and save lives by donating on our platforms indicated or visit our website www.globalaidmissions.org