Help Aboriginal Communities Prepare for COVID-19

First Nations communities urgently need your help.

Remote Australian Aboriginal communities are the most vulnerable populations to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Many elders have serious underlying health conditions putting them at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Diabetes, dialysis and heart conditions are prevalent within these communities.

We know there is only a narrow opportunity to minimise harm, especially for the leaders of these communities.

A COVID-19 outbreak is yet to reach the Northern Territory.

Families are working hard to grasp this current opportunity to prepare as well as possible and we need your support.

Experts have advised that when the virus hits Aboriginal communities in Alice Springs and Darwin it will be hard to contain.

· Many families live in poor housing and suffer from overcrowding. These houses cannot facilitate self-isolation.

· Basic resources such as non-perishable goods, over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies are scarce or in unreliable supply.

· Access to healthcare is limited.

· Many people have limited income, limited transport, limited capacity to shop, and do not have any reserve supplies.

Families are leading community based prevention and action plans: inclusive of education, developing and distributing educational resources, environmental health, hygiene and nutrition, as well as supporting people to live outside major towns.

We are seeking donations to support this and to secure:

· Essential health and hygiene supplies
· Non-perishable food supplies
· An environmental trailer fitted with a high-powered cleaner
· Household cleaning equipment to be transported between houses to support intensive large-scale cleaning
· Community based, industrial washing machines and dryers to support families who currently have no whitegoods

Please support our fundraising efforts to acquire these essentials as outlined by community.

Essential large purchases
• Industrial washing machine
• Drying machine
• Environmental trailer
• High pressure cleaning equipment

Essential food resources
• Pasta
• Tinned beans
• Tinned tomatoes
• Tinned tuna
• Tinned vegetables
• Rice
• Cereal
• Long life milk
• Spreads
• Frozen vegetables
• Oats

Essential cleaning resources
• Hand sanitiser
• Soap
• Bleach
• Gloves
• Disinfectant wipes
• Disinfectant spray
• Dishwashing liquid
• Cleaning vinegar
• Surface spray
• Garbage bins
• Garbage bags
• Mops
• Buckets
• Brooms indoor and outdoor
• Dustpan
• Cleaning cloths
• Scourers
• Toilet cleaner
• Spray bottles to dilute disinfectant
• Laundry detergent
• Dish drying racks
• Disposable wipes/cloths


Medicinal
• Over the counter necessities including paracetamol, children’s paracetamol, cough syrup, throat lozenges, nasal decongestant
• Asthma inhalers
• Bandages
• Band aids
• Tissues
•  Surgical masks and protective clothing for cleaning


Personal
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Nappies
• Women's sanitary items
• Toilet paper

Bedding
• Bed linen
• Towels
• Sheets
• Pillow slips
• Pillows
• Face washers
• Mattresses

Other
• Sitting mats
• Plastic cups
• Thongs
• Socks
• Shoes
• Baby bottles and cups

Any contribution possible will assist in containing this escalating health crisis.

Children's Ground is creating a different future with the next generation of Aboriginal children.
We work across 5 intersecting platforms: learning, health, economic wellbeing, culture and community. Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are based on an integrated system of knowledge and practice. These systems lead our work. Integration includes First Nations and Western/international leading practices working together.
This ensures children have the very best throughout life.

Learn more about Children's Ground