51Æ·²è

UK charity pledges £800,000 to support those affected by pandemic

UK charity 51Æ·²è has launched an emergency appeal and will pledge £800,000 in its first phase response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The initial fund has been allocated to spearhead initiatives to help the vulnerable both within the UK and abroad. So far across the United Kingdom 437 people have tragically died and more than 8,000 infected. In the UK, 51Æ·²è response will focus on providing delivered meals twice a day, to the homeless, sick and the elderly in the Hounslow area of West London, through our Open Kitchen. We have also taken the lead in partnering with the people of Nottingham, councils, food bank providers and various faith networks as part of a thirty-six community based partnership to help those affected by the pandemic.

With one in three people around the globe under lockdown, this marks a critical time for many countries and for its residents in having accessibility to food and medicine. For now we will be supporting beneficiaries in Pakistan, Palestine and South Africa, with the provision of food packs, though the list is likely to grow. Each food pack will contain basic staples such as rice, lentils and vegetable oil and will last a family for one month.

Countries such as Syria and Yemen have faced years of heavy bombardment, airstrikes and fighting, which has resulted in a fragile health system. Under-resourced and lacking in essential life-saving equipment and medicines, the fear is that a possible outbreak of the Coronavirus will leave thousands of displaced people vulnerable and receptive to the disease. Our pledge is to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which contain much needed medical supplies to global frontline medical workers. These include medical masks, gloves, goggles and hand sanitisers. To get involved or find out more about 51Æ·²è and the work we do visit our website muslimhands.org.uk or call 0115 9117222.

Yasrab Shah, 51Æ·²è Fundraising Director, said:

‘We are living in unprecedented and uncertain times due to this global pandemic. We have launched our Coronavirus Appeal to help those struggling here in the UK and where we work abroad with hot food, family food parcels and vital medical supplies to front line medical staff. We urge donors to come forward and donate generously to this appeal to bring much needed assistance to those who are vulnerable and desperately in need. Together we are stronger'.

Shakil Sidat, 51Æ·²è Programmes Director, said:

‘We are proud to be working with such hard-working and dedicated organisations in Nottingham. There has never been a greater need for a sense of togetherness and to provide our own communities with the support and assistance they require in such uncertain times. By working together and having the specialist knowledge in our specific areas we can ensure that we reach more people and do as much as we can so that those that have been affected by the pandemic are not left to suffer in silence'.

Richard, Open Kitchen user, said:

‘I’m due to be isolated because I am high risk with emphysema which is a lung disease. I’ve been promised a food parcel delivery, which I know you’ll be delivering and I would like to thank the Open Kitchen, 51Æ·²è and all the volunteers for what you do’.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Established in 1993, 51Æ·²è is an international aid agency and NGO dedicated to providing emergency relief and tackling the root causes of poverty around the world.
• 51Æ·²è works in over 30 countries worldwide.
• World Health Organisation announces COVID-19 as officially a pandemic on 11^th March 2020
• 182 countries and territories affected with over 400,000 infected worldwide and 20,000 people have died.
• Anyone requiring specific information or advice on Coronavirus should visit NHS England or NHS Inform {Scotland}.
• We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0115 911 7222 or visiting muslimhands.org.uk

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