As of April 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there have been 2,160,207 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the world, with 146,088 recorded deaths so far. In Canada, the number of cases has surpassed 34k. There’s no doubt how this virus has devastated the world, and if measures to curb it aren’t followed to the tee, the cases and deaths will keep rising.

While it has brought terrible effects to how we work, study, socialize, travel, shop, and others, there are members of our communities who experience far harrowing results of the pandemic, such as inadequate health care, food insecurity, shelter and housing limitations, and others.  As such, we can lend a hand to the vulnerable by informing ourselves of the issues they face during this crisis and work together to ease their burdens.

Youth

Our youth may bear the brunt of this pandemic as their way of life has been disrupted and they may not have the maturity and life experience needed to deal with the stress that comes with this particular crisis. Thus, their mental health could be greatly affected, and we can lend a hand as much as we can by donating or supporting organizations that support the cause to protect our youth from this crisis, like the Kids Help Phone.

In addition, kids who live in low-income neighbourhoods across the country may be faced with health and food insecurity issues as well. Before the coronavirus hit, it was estimated that more than one million Canadian children were affected by food insecurity, and the number will likely increase as COVID-19 continues its rampage. You can help by reaching out to organizations like The Breakfast Club of Canada which started emergency fund and campaign called #FeedKidsNow. Other organizations to keep in mind are Canadian Feed the Children, UNICEF Canada, Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Adopt4Life, and SOS Children’s Village.

Economically disadvantaged communities

Food insecurity has long been an issue in Canada, something that’s surprising given that it is considered a developed nation and its abundance of resources. Unfortunately, according to Statistics Canada, at least 9% of Canadian households or 3.2 million individuals faced food security issues from 2017 until 2018. That number will only increase given the effects of COVID-19 to food supply.

Fortunately, there are a slew of food banks and organizations that recognizes this problem and are determined to work to solve it, like the Daily Bread Food Bank, Canada’s largest group of food banks.  Other groups that are making an effort to provide individuals access to food are Food Banks Canada, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Calgary Food Bank, Ottawa Food Bank, Leftovers Rescue Food, North York Harvest, Second Harvest, The Stop, and Feed Nova Scotia.

Seniors

Since WHO declared the novel coronavirus 2019 as a pandemic, there hasn’t been a day that goes by where we hear of news of a senior being affected. Our elderly population are among the most likely to develop severe complications or worse, die from the virus. At the same time, a number of them are also dealing with feelings of loneliness or isolation as their contact to the outside world have been limited.

You can help the seniors within your community by offering to get their supplies and drop those off at the door or encouraging them to use technology to connect with their loved ones. Other senior members of our population face financial and food insecurity, so reach out to organizations like Meals on Wheels, HelpAge Canada, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society, St. Michael’s Extended Care Society, and Seniors First B.C. to help.

Indigenous communities

Majority of indigenous communities in Canada don’t have access to immediate health care like us in urban centres, and thus many of our indigenous brothers and sisters are bracing themselves for the full impact of the pandemic. They would benefit from receiving emergency supplies and being provided with transportation of people with health conditions. Emergency food services like KahnawakeShakotiia’takehnhas Community Services for the Mohawk community in Quebec, which recently launched a large food drive also help them deal with food insecurity.

Other groups who focus their aid to help the First Nations are Water First, True North Aid, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Anishnawbe Health Foundation, NiijkiwendidaaAnishnaabekwewag Services Circle, Raven Trust, and The Circle.

People with disabilities

During this pandemic, we can’t ignore our brothers and sisters with physical and intellectual disabilities. Most of them rely on social services and with the physical distancing rules in place, they have limited access to their support workers, or worse, no access at all. Fortunately, there are local organizations such as the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, which provides COVID-19 resources, or national non-profits such as the CNIB Foundation to help them with social services, health care, and information.

Other organizations with the same goal in mind are CNIB Foundation, March of Dimes Canada, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, Variety – The Children’s Charity of Ontario, and Disability Alliance B.C.

SOURCES

https://www.vicnews.com/news/covid-19-threatens-the-food-security-of-millions-of-canadians/

https://www.macleans.ca/society/coronavirus-where-to-donate-and-how-to-help-canadas-most-vulnerable/

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019