Of the few positive news stories that have come out recently, none has been quite as heart-warming as the video footage of those in self-isolation who had answered the RSPCA’s call to adopt a pet. The RSPCA had slashed its adoption fees in a bid to find homes for as many animals as possible before it had to close its doors.
While the RSPCA is grateful so many people stepped up, the charity is still facing a grim reality: since COVID-19 broke out, it experienced a reduction in volunteer numbers and a huge drop in financial donations – the RSPCA’s latest appeal missed its target by 60 percent.
It will come as no surprise that this is a reality for most charities.
Helping vulnerable people key to overcoming pandemic
While the UN called for $US2 billion to help fight COVID-19 in poverty-stricken and war-ravaged nations, in Australia six leading aid agencies urged the Federal Government to add charitable organisations to its COVID-19 economic support package. They argue specific measures are needed to help charities continue their life-saving work.
The organisations – CARE Australia, ChildFund Australia, Oxfam Australia, Plan International Australia, Save the Children Australia and World Vision Australia – say the not-for-profit sector is facing a perfect storm of falling revenue and unprecedented demand for their services fuelled by the pandemic.
CARE Australia CEO Peter Walton urges people to remember that helping the world’s most vulnerable people is key to ending this pandemic. Australia won’t be able to go back to normal until the whole world has the virus under control. “We live in an interconnected world, so it’s crucial we start helping vulnerable nations now where we can. Helping the world’s most vulnerable people in the fight against COVID-19 is both the right thing to do and the smart thing to do,” he says.
These views are mirrored by the UNHCR. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi says, “I am deeply concerned at this unprecedented pandemic and its impact on refugees and their host communities.” Although the number of reported and confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection among refugees is currently low, over 80 per cent of the world’s refugee population live in low to middle-income countries, where health, water and sanitation systems are often weaker and need urgent support.
“Our top priority in the COVID-19 crisis is to ensure that the people we serve are included in response plans and are properly informed, while we supplement governments’ preparedness and response efforts wherever needed.
But until a support package for charities becomes a reality, the UNHCR and every other aid agency worldwide is having to survive the best they can.
Food shortages and plummeting donations
Food shortages have hit Australians for weeks, but while supermarkets are being restocked, charities such as OzHarvest and Foodbank are missing out. They are now finding new ways to keep their services going.
Foodbank CEO John Robertson says, “While demand for food relief has increased by almost 50 percent, the amount of food coming into our warehouses has dropped by 25 percent because demand is so great in the supermarkets.” The charity has now teamed up with Red Rooster to raise some much-needed funds. Until 6 April, the fast food giant will donate the cost of meal to Foodbank.
OzHarvest CEO Ronni Kahn says, “Tragically, last week, we had more food than we’ve had for months – and that’s because of the double-edged sword that our whole hospitality industry closed down.” She adds, “We have closed down all other programs apart from the food rescue program. We’ve tried to digitise some so that we can still support teachers and schools and kids to learn about sustainability and not waste food, but food rescue is what we are concentrating on, and to keep our wheels turning we need food and we need money.”
New initiatives and a targeted approach
The Cancer Council has also cancelled all its community fundraising events. It is instead focusing on a new challenge: keeping cancer patients safe from COVID-19 and helping them access trained counsellors and emergency financial payments. The Transport to Treatment program, a service that transports cancer patients to their treatments is a crucial lifeline for many cancer patients who need to be kept safe from the spread of the virus.
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute is advancing to test stem cells that could combat severe respiratory disease that can occur with COVID-19 infection. Although still in the planning stage, the stem cells to be tested have already been shown to dampen down the immune response that causes problems in other diseases. The team is optimistic that the cells can do the same for patients with COVID-19- induced respiratory disease.
Remember to support your charity
While charities are out there fighting the pandemic with whatever means they have we – the team at The Vocal Minority – are right behind then. We have increased our efforts to advocate for the sector to help make sure no organisation, no person in need, will be left behind. Charities’ role in society is now more important than ever. Remember to support them.