Hygiene masks for vulnerable people

The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) recruits’ women living in Direct Provision Centres to produce hygiene masks to distribute to residence in Direct Provision and other vulnerable groups. Each of the women involved in the project have been supplied with a sewing machine, fabric and necessary supplies needed for the manufacturing of washable hygiene masks.

An important aspect of this project is community outreach. After SMI has financed the making of 6000 masks for each person living in Direct Provision across Cork, Masks will then be distributed free of charge to other vulnerable communities and persons working on the front line in non-healthcare settings.

Our community outreach plays a vital role in changing the narrative around residence in Direct Provision centres. Residence of Direct Provision centres are often viewed through a deficit lens as passive recipients of events and as individuals with nothing to contribute to society. The Sanctuary Mask Initiative is designed to harness the strengths of people living within the Direct Provision system, recognising their agency in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.