IACCR Meeting 0403: Protect  Vulnerable Groups from COVID-19, Key Takeaways

IACCR Meeting 0403: Protect   Vulnerable Groups from COVID-19, Key Takeaways

The second international online discussion forum on community response to COVID-19 virus was held online on April 3rd from 14:00 to 17:00, which themed by the "Corresponding to COVID-19 Information and Technology Exchange Conference", focusing on helping vulnerable groups and solving the problems left over from the first online conference.

The participators included the China Mainland, Chinese Taiwan, Japan, Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, Pakistan. Local members from different countries reported their conditions and challenges of COVID-19 prevention in local communities.

In the first part, Technical Seminar, the speakers shared China's experience and technology in response to the COVID-19, especially for pregnant women, people with disabilities, children, elderly people living alone and other vulnerable groups.

— Zhao Li, project officer of department of disaster management from Shenzhen One Foundation Charity Foundation, shared the experience of intervention for mothers in late pregnancy and the people with intellectual disability.

— Zhang Meilan, a front-line social worker of Social Work Station in Waihai Street and Liyue Town of Jiangmen City, illustrated the service experiences of “Double-Hundred Project” in Guangdong for vulnerable groups in the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Li Zhen, director of social work supervision and research advocacy from the Facilitators, provided an example from the Facilitators on helping migrant workers fighting against Coronavirus which showed the four-dimensional services for migrant children during COVID-19.

— Xie Zhenhai, project supervision of Wuhan Beautiful Social Work Service Center, took an example of work in duowen community in Jianghan distict on volunteer service for elderly people living alone during the Pandemic outbreak

In the second part, Academic Seminar, Prof. Tomohide Atsumi from Osaka University in Japan held an academic discussion on how to work together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic through multilateral cooperation.

Additionally, representatives from eight countries shared their conditions and   challenges. Representative Maisara of the Philippines said that population of the are where she stays accounts for 45% of the total, but only has eight ventilators. Dr. Abdhesh, from India said the regional government implemented control measures but the people were not willing to cooperate. The director of CODE in Japan, Yoshitsubaki Masamichi said that young people in Japan do not pay enough attention to the pandemic and do not take it seriously enough, which makes everyone very worried.   Professor Okumi Hidemi of Osaka University put forward research ideas on anthropology and social psychology, hoping to establish a global research collaboration and information network.

Other Materials:

Abdhesh Kumar Gangwar, Coordinator and Focal Point, RCE Srinagar:

China has been helping India in fighting Covid-19 pandemic. Foreign ministers of India and China are in constant touch sharing problems and experience. Chine Companies JACK MA and ALIBABA Foundations and Xiaomi have provided masks, PPEs, respirators and ventilators to India. Chinese ambassador to India Mr. SUN WEIDONG said "The Chinese people will stand firmly with the Indian people on fight against #Covid-19 and we will get through the hard times together". Thank you China helping India. China is ready to erect emergency hospitals and other required facilities in India if need arises deploying Chinese companies working in South Asia. This is a great assurance and China, having Wuhan success experience, standing by India during the hour of crisis. We are sure China must be helping several other countries as well. Chinese efforts appreciated.

Maisara Latiph, Member of the Parliament, Bangsamoro Transition Authority:

Philippines very strict in implementing lockdown to stop community transmission. We are going to face huge challenge for the poorest and vulnerable communities in terms of basic needs and medical needs. That is why we must be able to access the best practices from China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and other Asian countries who have already established good practices in overcoming covid-19.

Alvin, the founder of IYRescueU :

First of all , I'm Alvin ,the founder of IYRescueU which now is trying to unite more teenagers to discuss how we can be united to contribute more teenagers' ideas and power to help fight against novel coronavirus ,and we also have done a lot such as donating money and things as well as trying to help people understand what we are facing .

Antonio Carmona, CEO - Founder, National Coordinator of Unit in Mexico:

Our group "future team Mexico", try to keep you informed of the different scenarios. Previous ethnographic analyzed in various regions of the Mexico allows us to have better dissemination of information. We have done making infographics that catches attention, but you inspire us to improve. Thanks.