Volunteers in Ireland have stepped up in unprecedented ways to help those impacted by COVID-19, including asylum seekers in Direct Provision centers. A survey found that 62% of respondents had volunteered in some way, such as gathering supplies, helping with exercise groups, or preparing student housing. The issues facing those in Direct Provision included a lack of PPE, up-to-date information, supplies, and an inability to self-isolate or easily transport supplies. Several organizations partnered to collect hygiene products through a fundraiser, demonstrating community support for asylum seekers during this difficult time.

1. Direct
Provision
Volunteers
Tackling COVID19

2. A person’struecharacterisoftenrevealedintimesof crisisor
temptation.
Makesurethatyouhavewhatit takestobeyourbestinsuch
times
- Paul TP Wong

3. These unprecedented
times have brought out
the very best in the
people of Ireland
Be it through raising awareness or
gathering essential supplies, the Irish
people have lived upto their kind and
generous reputation

4. To Understand How
the Community Has
Been Dealing withthe
Virus, We Made a
Quick Survey
Of all those who took the survey,
62% have volunteered in at
least one programme to alleviate
the pressureof COVID19 on asylum seekers
All of whom were deeply concerned
by the issues they identified
within the system

6. The issues according to
are respondentsinclude
● Lack ofPPE
● Lack of up to date
information
● Insufficienttoiletry supplies
● Inability to transport supplys
to DP centers
● Almost impossible
to self-isolate
● Further marginalisation

7. Tohelpinthistimeof crisismanyofourrespondentshave
beenpartaking incommunityorganisedinitiatives
Some of these
include
● Partaking in the Sanctuary Runners online exercise
group
● Gathering hygieneproducts
● Helping with the Sanctuary Masks Initiative
● Helping prepare student accomodation for DP
resenents
● Donating tofundrasers

8. Partnerships
In order to do their part to alleviate
some of the stresses faced by
those in DP, members of the UCC
Feminist Society, Nano Nagle
Place, Better Together and some
staff at UCC organised a
gofundme page and collected
hygiene and sanitary products
Their join efforts were a
resounding success, and the
team managed to gather a
significant number of product all of
which were greatfully received

9. Credit:
● UCC Feminist
Society
● Sanctuary Runners
● Nano NaglePlace
● Better Together