Southern Africa Trust (ZA)

Respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in Southern Africa amidst the spread of Coronavirus

The world has never faced a pandemic with the potential to reach us all at the same time. While case counts vary, it's clear that Coronavirus is spreading across every country and territory. Amongst the myriad global communities whose lives and livelihoods have already been affected, are 88 million vulnerable people in southern Africa that are, by social and economic circumstance, at greater risk of suffering from the implications of the virus. At the heart of the responses to Coronavirus, we must care for those living at the margins of economic and political systems to follow the measures required to flatten the curve, curb the spread and begin the journey to healing. The Southern Africa Trust's work with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and social movements across 16 countries to support their immediate needs, while simultaneously mobilizing their voices to influence the response strategies that various governments are putting in place. We focus on women in rural areas , ex-miners , informal and cross border traders , domestic workers , small scale farmers , migrant workers and refugees . Vulnerable communities urgently need fact-based guidelines, practical solutions, as well as linguistically and culturally contextualised information in order to ensure prevention, detection and protection from Coronavirus. The Trust is calling on philanthropic foundations, development agencies and corporates to answer the call of the vulnerable and the CSOs that serve them by giving responsive funding, financing and other resource donations. We seek to raise $5 million USD to deliver the vital needs required. Your solidarity in this time of extreme need will restore the dignity and voices of those who at the greatest risk of Coronavirus. About the Southern Africa Trust The Southern Africa Trust is a leading convener and facilitator of resources for 200 CSO partners running over 350 programmes and initiatives. Through their work, marginalised communities in 16 countries have been transformed to active participants in policy decisions made about their lives. http://www.southernafricatrust.org/