When Coronavirus started to spread, global communities were confronted with uncertainty. In these unprecedented times, help has been given to some of the most vulnerable in Tunisia – something desperately needed at such a time.
In March, Tunisian authorities – like the rest of the world – had a critical choice to make in response to the threat of Coronavirus. In order to stamp out the risk faced, much of everyone’s day-to-day normality needed to be altered drastically. With an already fragile public healthcare system, Tunisia could not afford a nationwide outbreak.
Having successfully contained the Covid-19 virus outbreak, a very different threat loomed – curfews, confinement and travel bans had led to financial uncertainty, economic instability, job losses and hunger. Those most impacted were already amongst the most vulnerable. The unemployed. The poor. The elderly. The orphan. The widow.
Relief efforts sprung up almost as soon as the virus appeared, allowing ACT to show many that their circumstances and suffering were not unimportant – that they had not been forgotten.
As has been shared previously, ACT has been using the unexpected pause in our project schedules to mobilize a relief effort. “The months of April, May and June have seen us work in ways we are unfamiliar with, learning lessons and deepening relationships as we go,” says General Director Adriaan.
We are especially thankful for all the hard work ACT team members have put in during this time, as they have stepped up to serve the marginalised and vulnerable in El Kef, Tunis, Nabeul, Monastir, Sfax and Gabès. Almost 40 years of working in partnership with local organisations and initiatives has proved good training for the relief efforts!
Each month we looked to replicate and adapt, evaluating, learning lessons and building off of what has already been undertaken.
- 232 families in Nabeul and Monastir were sent postal orders through our partner centres to enable them to buy food, including amounts for milk formula and diapers for young families.
- 200 families in Sfax have received food for a month distributed by ACT members and volunteers, including 18 to Village SOS Mahres homes for children.
- 100 food parcels have been distributed in El Kef and the local area, in coordination with the Human Rights League and Tadhamon.
- 91 families all over the country received a mixture of food parcels, food vouchers and home-schooling kits for children thanks to the efforts of our Capacity Development Project partners.
- 40 families in Gabès have been given food parcels thanks to a donation from ACT to the local Croissant Rouge relief efforts.
- 470 masks have been made and donated to local hospitals, associations and volunteers around Gabès.
- 255 families in Nabeul and Monastir have received postal orders to be able to support themselves following the loss of livelihoods; special thanks to our fantastic partner centres, who have worked tirelessly to enable this to happen!
- 200 families in Sfax have received food for a month distributed by ACT members and volunteers.
- 150 food parcels have been distributed in El Kef and the local area, in coordination with the Human Rights League.
- 220 families have received relief packages through our Capacity Building Project partners across the country.
- 100 families in Gabès have been given food parcels thanks to a donation from ACT to the local Croissant Rouge relief efforts.
We hope to finalise the actual distributions in July
- We aim to see 255 families in Nabeul and Monastir receive postal orders to be able to support themselves following the loss of livelihoods.
- 150 families in Sfax have received food for a month distributed by ACT members and volunteers.
- 150 food parcels have been distributed in El Kef and the local area, in coordination with the Human Rights League.
- We want to see 220 relief packages distributed through our Capacity Building Project partners to families across the country.
- We estimate that 100 families in Gabès are being given food parcels thanks to a donation from ACT to the local Croissant Rouge relief efforts.
No one could have predicted the global impact of the last few months. The giving, prayers and engagement of the many has made a huge difference to families and communities across Tunisia. All the above efforts were made possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of supporters from around the globe. For this and more, ACT is incredibly thankful.
What happens next?
Some of ACT’s regular project activities are already tentatively starting up, and we are hopeful to have even more start in September. We hope that the restrictions on travel and meeting in groups will be relaxed in time for the new season to get underway.
The past three months have been difficult in many ways. None the less, for ACT it remains a great privilege to have been able to help and serve in the ways listed above. Each volunteer, each partnership, each ACT team member, each act of support – whatever their size – has made the incredible possible.
ACT looks forward to exploring and establishing our role in Tunisia’s new normal.
