CORONA WORLD

While the crisis has wreaked havoc and devastated communities around the world, several community initiatives have stepped up to help those who are most vulnerable to the damaging socio-economic impact of Covid-19. 

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9 MILES PROJECT COVID-19 

NIC BOTHMA

The 9 Miles Project Covid-19 community support programme feeds over 1500 people from vulnerable coastal communities across Cape Town. Born out of a surf outreach initiative the 9 Miles Project is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) founded in 2013 by Nigel Savel. The project works with youth in coastal informal settlements and provides mentorship and support to the at-risk youth. Now with extreme lockdown measures in place food security is a massive problem in South Africa.  The 9 Miles Project Covid-19 community support program is one of the organizations that has stepped into this void to try alleviate the growing hunger across the city. 

XIHUA FARMER’S MARKET IN GUANZHOU

ALEX PLAVEVSKI

Following the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak, China brought in new regulations for the trade and consumption of wild animals. Although most animals like turtles, frogs, snakes and scorpions have been banned since late February, at Xihua Farmer’s Market in Guangzhou turtles and frogs are still sold openly and vendors are willing to bring scorpions at the buyer’s request. With the official definition of ‘wild animals’ still unclear, confusion and uncertainty rein among most vendors and buyers at China’s wet markets. It is widely believed that Covid-19 originated from the wet market in Wuhan in December 2019.   

FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS  

CJ GUNTHER

Hundreds of volunteers signed up with Bread of Life (BOL) to distribute much-needed food boxes to some of the poorest residents of communities north of Boston amid a spike in unemployment sparked by the shutdown of all non-essential businesses due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Before the crisis, BOL would provide an average of 60 meals a day. That rate has doubled to over 120 daily food parcels since the outbreak and the restrictions to limit it was imposed in March, as the shutdown continues to take a heavy economic and social toll. BOL is providing a lifeline to those thousands of residents of north Boston’s communities who are struggling to get by amid the economic gloom.