With a network of around 775 Fellows from 96 countries specializing in a diverse array of professional fields, many Atlas Corps Alumni and current Fellows are making inspiring impacts against COVID-19. It is time to celebrate these achievements of our amazing network and share their advice on how we can all do our part to protect and support each other.
Today we want to talk with our Alum Miguel (Class 29, Ecuador) and current Fellow Tassia (Class 37, Jamaica, Host: American Red Cross) who are currently combining their efforts against COVID-19 at International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to create activities for children and parents on how to face the COVID-19 pandemic under the project “Kids Activity Kit: COVID-19”.
Thank you all so much for everything that you do! We wish you all the best with this impactful work! Read below about how they are contributing to the fight, and how we can all work together and rise above the challenges of today.
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Name: Miguel Aguirre
Home Country: Ecuador Current Organization: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Disaster and Crisis Unit Role at current organization: Communications Consultant |
Please share with us how you are working to fight against COVID-19?
At the Disaster and Crisis Unit, we are creating management systems during global disasters to support vulnerable populations. In communications, it is important that people have reliable and accurate information so that they can respond to situations in the appropriate manner. I’m currently developing communication materials to create awareness and respond effectively to this pandemic. My work is focused on two target audiences: Red Cross Red Crescent staff members with guidance materials on how to respond from the institutional perspective, and children around the world with activity games on safety and mental health exercises.
I know that Atlas Corps Fellow Tassia (Class 37, Jamaica) is working on the same activities at her Host Organization American Red Cross. Moreover, I am supporting her in a project named “Kids Kit Activity: COVID-19” where we are creating activities for children and parents on how to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, we have created a Help Desk for Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies to ensure business continuity planning.
Do you have anything you would like to say to everybody about how we can all do our part in this pandemic?
I believe this pandemic is a call to our humanity. We must be well informed so we can know how to act and help others, follow the recommendations from local health authorities strictly, and stay connected to our beloved ones. Physical distancing doesn’t imply being lonely; we must keep in touch, and be transparent on what we feel. There are a plethora of video calling apps that help us stay connected, and I urge everyone that has the ability to make use of them so that you can support your own social health while protecting yourself and others.
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Name: Tassia Stewart
Home Country: Jamaica Host Organization: American Red Cross Role at Host Organization: Communications and Community Engagement Fellow |
Please share with us how you are working to fight against COVID-19?
Serving at one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, the American Red Cross, during the COVID19 pandemic has allowed me a unique opportunity to work directly in the global response efforts firstly through developing and disseminating pandemic preparedness tools and information in several languages, targeting the global businesses community, who at the start of this pandemic, were not widely targeted.
Also as Red Cross and Crescent national societies across the world rally to provide emergency and medical services, I have been working as part of a team to provide back-office support through the dissemination of critical guidance material, business continuity planning and help desk support and even creating and distributing activities and games to support those with small children and who are in need of materials to educate and engage them during this challenging time.
Do you have anything you would like to say to everybody about how we can all do our part in this pandemic?
1) Stay Safe: Stay Home and take care of yourself including your emotional wellbeing. Wash your hands frequently and follow the safety information provided. COVID19 can happen to you.
2) Help Others: Check on your family, friends, and neighbors. Offer help to the elderly and persons with disabilities. Even something as basic as a call to check-in or a supermarket errand is helpful.
3) Donate financially: No matter how small, choose a cause you care about and donate. There are global fundraising efforts of the WHO, the American Red Cross or even your respective diaspora organizations.
4) Give blood: this global health crisis has put an enormous strain on the blood reserves and now there’s an even greater need for blood. Donating blood is a safe process and follows the highest standards of safety and infection control.
Support Atlas Corps Fellows during COVID-19
Help us to support Atlas Corps Fellows who cannot return home because of the COVID-19 lockdown. These Fellows face unique, unbudgeted, and completely unexpected expenses. Donations of ANY size make a big difference!
Donate at bit.ly/Fellowsupportfund
