The Lotus Flower’s emergency response to Covid-19
The Covid-19 outbreak has proved especially challenging for vulnerable refugees and IDPs, and the Lotus Flower’s emergency action to support women and girls in our three centres has seen us respond to the pandemic in entirely new, rapid ways.
With huge risk of the virus spreading through crowded camps, our teams have been providing regular hygiene awareness sessions, including handwashing lessons for children. We have also ensured that soap has been widely distributed across the camps to stem virus transmission, while as part of our Sewing Sisters program, women have been making fabric masks.
During field visits to the camps in early May, our research showed that many women have been experiencing additional mental health problems during lockdown, while there has also been a rise in violence against them. In response, the Lotus Flower has been providing access to a psychologist over the phone, as well as increased awareness on gender-based violence.
Our regional project manager Vian Ahmed was one of the first to return to the camps when access restrictions were first eased. “After almost two months of total lockdown, many women and girls were mentally and physically exhausted,” she says. “Strict curfew meant they were forced to stay home and have no involvement in activities or interaction with other women, while they were also carrying the burden of looking after children who could no longer attend school, as well as husbands who had lost their jobs.
“The women we spoke to said that Covid-19 has impacted very badly on their lives – many have lost their main income and don't have enough food for their families, while they are also facing the risk of domestic violence.”
One of the women Vian met was 21-year-old Zirka. “She had been very traumatised after being severely beaten by her husband and his parents. When he then chose to remarry and take her son away, we arranged immediate psychological support for Zirka, as well as a meeting with a group of volunteer lawyers to take on her case. With continued support from the Lotus Flower, Zirka has become stronger, and is starting to overcome her psychological problems.”
While Zirka’s experience is just one of many, the Lotus Flower is doing everything possible to ease the difficulties imposed by lockdown – while maintaining social distancing rules. Rather than meeting in person, we have created WhatsApp groups in all three camps, allowing us to reach nearly 200 people every day. “We use these groups to share videos we have created on Covid-19 protection, and also to raise awareness on GBV and equality. While these measures have been very well-received, it’s vital that we can keep providing this support in the coming months, when a second wave of Covid-19 may hit the camps.”