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To Many Refugees, Starvation Is a Bigger Threat Than COVID-19

  • By Alice Seeley

  • Published On June 17, 2020

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Refugees are already at risk for starvation, but due to COVID-19, they are at an even higher risk. In normal circumstances, starving is a constant worry for refugees. Refugee camps rarely have enough resources.  Now, COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions have worsened the already horrible living conditions in these camps, putting thousands of refugees around the world at risk of starvation.

In some camps, such as Jordan’s Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps, lockdowns have prevented people from working at jobs outside the camps. This means refugees are entirely dependent on charities for food and basic necessities. This stretches already scarce resources even thinner.

In addition, border closures have forced many refugees back to dangerous conditions during the pandemic. For instance, Malaysia turned back a boat of refugees seeking safety. Bangladesh eventually allowed it to land, but after it had drifted at sea for two months and at least 30 people had died of starvation.

Studies have shown refugees are more afraid of starving to death than of getting COVID-19.

The American Foundation for Relief & Reconciliation in the Middle East has provided food and other necessities to religious refugees at this desperate time, due to your generous donations. Please donate to help us continue providing care to these refugees.

American FRRME is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation, provides relief efforts, advances human rights, and seeks an end to sectarian violence in the Middle East.

To make a donation to American FRRME, please visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/frrmeamerica?code=WebsiteGeneral

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