COVIDCAREMY
COVIDCAREMY is an immediate crisis response initiative launched by DHRRA Malaysia in March 2020, through the formation of a coalition of 20 local NGOs, to support vulnerable and marginalized communities affected by COVID-19. Through this initiative, 8,492 families were supported during MCO 1.0 and 4520 families during MCO 2.0.
With the enforcement of a nationwide total lockdown from 1 June 2021 to 28 June 2021, Malaysia is back to square one in the battle against COVID-19. The effect of the control measure on the marginalized and vulnerable communities, who are still struggling to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of initial two phases of full lockdown, is dire. Many are ill-prepared to cope with the socio-economic impact of COVID-19, and are caving under the immense pressure and mental torment of the prolonged battle against the pandemic, which kept pushing them back from what little progress made in rebuilding their life.
Hence, DHRRA Malaysia launches COVIDCAREMY 3.0, as an extension to its ongoing COVID-19 crisis response, to resume meeting the needs and supporting the vulnerable and marginalized groups severely affected by the crisis. COVIDCAREMY 3.0 aims to build the resilience and enhance the protection of the affected communities as well as the collective well-being of the Malaysian society.
COVIDCAREMY Vision: Marginalized and vulnerable communities are resilient to pandemics and crisis situations, and able to take charge of life towards collective well-being.
COVIDCAREMY Mission:
To mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from COVID19 pandemic to increase Marginalized and vulnerable communities resiliency to pandemics and crisis situation, and able to take charge of life towards collective well-being
- Provide immediate crisis response for marginalized and vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19
- Enhance the livelihood of families impacted by COVID-19
- Implement calibrated and sustained public health campaign on COVID-19 awareness, prevention, vaccination and immune boosters.
- Enhance the capacity and engagement of stakeholders to function effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic
Call Centre
COVIDCAREMY Call Center is operated from xxx am to xxx pm every day, to enable members of the vulnerable communities to access the following assistance:
- Food/ Grocery Aid
- Mental Health
- Support Legal Advice
Upon verification, the requests are forwarded to the respective Teams (Resource Mobilization [Food/Grocery Aid], Mental Health Support, and Legal Advice) for further intervention. All the data received are populated in a centralized database, for follow-up support and monitoring.
Type of Assistance
Food/Grocery Aid
COVIDCAREMY provides food/grocery aid to families who are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic, in the form of Grocery Aid Basket.
Mental Health Support
COVIDCAREMY also focuses on enhancing the mental wellbeing of families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through provision of mental health support. A Mental Health Support Team, consisting of professional counsellors, provides the necessary counseling and also facilitate self-help groups to create support system within the community to support each other.
Legal Advise
Legal advice is made available for members of the communities facing legal matters arising from or due to the pandemic.
Livelihood
COVIDCAREMY seeks to enhance the livelihood of vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19, especially those suffering from reduced or loss of income and are struggling to navigate and sustain their lives through the crisis. The support includes entrepreneurship training, skills training and career guidance.
Education Aid
COVIDACAREMY seeks to provide digital device for students lacking access to technologies needed for home-based learning during the pandemic.
Defence Kit
COVID-19 Defence Kits are provided to vulnerable and marginalized communities who lack access to protection kits, to enhance their protection against COVID-19. The content of the COVID-19 Defence Kit varies based on the needs of the affected communities, as detailed below:
Awareness Campaign
COVIDCAREMY seeks to implement calibrated and sustained public campaign on COVID-19 awareness including importance of vaccination, social distancing, new norms and immune boosters. The campaign involves dissemination of information through social media and flyers.
Capacity Building on COVID-19 Response
COVIDCAREMY seeks to strengthen Civil Society Organizations (CS0s) and Rural People’s Organizations (RPOs), both established and unestablished, to function effectively during the pandemic. The following trainings are offered for CSOs, RPOs, Community Leaders and Volunteers: