CBM

Cyclone Amphan made landfall on parts of India and Bangladesh on 20 May and wrecked deadly havoc, lashing coastal areas with ferocious wind and rain. Nearly three million people were evacuated in the days leading up to the storm.

CBM was quick to launch a Corona Response Fund in March 2020 to mitigate the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our projects worldwide. Our Regional Directors in Africa and Asia warned, among other things, of a dire food shortage and a drastic slump in medical care facilities, specifically for people with disabilities.

Acknowledging distress is often the first step to recovery. By recognising this – and putting simple measures in place to support the population, patients and staff members – health services can contribute to greater resilience and capacity to recover following major epidemics and other emergencies.

58-year-old Ly Lieu Thi lives alone. Even though she is visually impaired, she has always been able to look after herself and cope with life. But now everything is different: the Corona lockdown dominates life in Vietnam, along with Ly’s life.

Hand hygiene is one of the most effective actions to prevent infections, including the COVID-19 virus. Hand washing can, quite literally, save lives – there has probably never been a better moment in history to be aware of this fact. On 5 May 2020, CBM joins the World Health Organization’s ‘Save Lives: Clean Your Hands’ campaign to highlight hand hygiene.

Like most countries, daily life in India has also been disrupted due to this worldwide pandemic. On strict lockdown since 24 March, CBM in India has had to think on its feet and adapt to the ever-evolving situation, in order to be able to reach people with disabilities and their families.