Melanistic Magazine - Vol 5

THE AFRICAN DIASPORA COVID-19 RESPONSE— A Community United —

The Black community, particularly immigrants, have had a contentious relationship with health care and social support systems. These services are often provided through a distorted lens leaving minorities feeling othered, less than and at times blatantly neglected. There are stigmas prevalent within the community attached to newcomers seeking help. Couple this with a general distrust of healthcare providers, and we’ll find a significant impact on the overall willingness and ability to access critical services. Layer these issues with a global pandemic and the negative effect quickly snowballs.

While Canada’s federal government has lagged in collecting race-based data, geospatial data from the City of Toronto showed high rates of COVID19 in predominantly Black populated neighborhoods. Montreal reported that immigrants, refugees, and lower-income people live in the hardest-hit regions. One research group noted that Black Canadians

were nearly three times as likely to report knowing someone who has died of the virus. The trend is further supported by reports from various international jurisdictions, all reflecting that ethnic minorities have a higher rate of exposure and mortality to COVID 19.

The pandemic birthed an unprecedented collaborative effort by several non-profit organizations, academics and students, initiated by the Nile Valley Foundation and coordinated by Africa Centre. The African Diaspora COVID 19 Response provides vital support on two fronts:

FOOD SECURITY MENTAL HEALTH

In the face of widespread job losses and illness, multiple community organizations combined resources to ensure that the most basic need is met - FOOD.

Culturally specific food hampers... because even in the face of difficult times families should be allowed the dignity of preparing meals that preserve their customs and dietary needs.

Hampers adjusted to the size of each family There are no ID or documentation requirements Scheduled pickups

TO ACCESS THE EMERGENCY FOOD BANK PLEASE CALL 1-833-621-0736

Distributed through the Africa Centre located at Suite 106, 6770-129 Avenue, or apply online at www.africacentre.ca/foodbank

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The African Diaspora COVID 19 Response did not end its efforts with the food bank. They also braved the front on an area that is often taboo within Black communities - MENTAL HEALTH.

Some of the topic covered in the series of emergency workshops include:

Finding Strength & Resiliency During COVID

Coping During Covid as an Immigrant & Refugee

Mental Health for StudentsAnd

Understanding Domestic Violence During COVID

While the workshops under the African Diaspora COVID 19 Response program have ended, the Africa Centre currently has a mental health program funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, and a counselling project funded by United Way that further meets the needs of the community.

“Disasters such as pandemics test people’s capacity and compassion. COVID19 pandemic is different - it requires collective measures but also demands social distancing as a strategy for containment. COVID19 was initially described as the “equalizer”, affecting everyone regardless of race and socioeconomic status. However, studies have shown that Black populations are disproportionately impacted by both exposure and impact. Preliminary macro data indicates that the worst rates of COVID19 infections in Edmonton and Calgary are in neighborhoods with high concentrations of racialized populations.

We need race-based data for us to provide tailored programs that will inform our economic and mental health recovery stages of our response in 2021-2023. This will help our overall system efficiency, and it is the best means to equitable recovery post pandemic.” ~ Africa Centre

“UBUNTU - ‘I am because we are’. This is the essence of this program. The community response has been heartwarming; being able to help at the most vulnerable times of a person’s life”

~ Nile Valley Foundation

THINKING ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE? Sign up to volunteer at www.africacentre.ca/volunteer

To those who have collaborated to make this project a reality, we say thank you.

~NILE VALLEY FOUNDATION ~LIBERIA FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY OF CANADA (“LFSC”) ~ZIMBABWE CULTURAL SOCIETY OF ALBERTA (“ZCUSA”) ~BERNADETT SWAN SOCIAL FOUNDATION (BSSF) ~SICKLE CELL FOUNDATION OF ALBERTA (SFA) ~CAMEROONIAN ASSOCIATION OF EDMONTON ~TREBI KUMA OLLENNU FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ~FUSE IN WHO AM I ~BLACK STUDENTS ASSOCIATION UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA ~ SIERRA LEONE ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA ~FAMILY ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION ~JAMAICA ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN ALBERTA ~COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFRICAN CANADIANS IN ALBERTA - AFRICA CENTRE (Coordinating Organiztion)