Contributed by Barbara

While many Asian countries seem to be managing the corona crisis increasingly well, the Covid-19 cases in the Philippines have until recently been increasing. A bit more than half of all detected cases are from Metro Manila. Among those infected, many are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Still, many hospitals are reaching their capacity limits.

The work situation has slightly improved: in many families there is now at least one member who has a source of income. But daily wage earners hardly find work, and their families suffer a lot. Electricity, water and rents need to be paid. Countless families are waiting for the government help that was announced. Hunger is no longer as obvious as in April or May but still, many families lack food. Because of hospitals in Metro Manila becoming very full, the level of the community quarantine was increased in August. Already now the government is running out of money for food support. The misery is continuing.

Uneven chances for education

In the Philippines, students being able to go to their schools for classroom teaching seems a thing of the distance future. Those who can afford have registered their children for online schooling; they have the needed tablets and the money for the internet fees. The others have to make use of the second option: going to school to pick up printed materials for one week of instructions and home assignments for the students. However, many children have not been enrolled at all. The re-start of schooling in the public schools was postponed to late August and then to early October. Private schools managed to start online schooling in August. The Covid crisis illustrates and aggravates the existing injustices in education.

Thank you for your help

The Servants team in Manila is very grateful for the many donations that have come in response to the start of the Covid-19 crisis. Since March, we have been able to support more than 2000 families directly with food parcels. Another 2500 families benefitted from food parcels through ONESIMO and other organisations we know. We still do some selective small food distributions to the poor. In addition, we are supporting a Filipina friend in our slum area who has started a tutorial for students. This support enables her and her parents to continue their work. In case a strict level of quarantine continues, we will have to increase our food assistance again.

We pray that the health system here will be strengthened, that the high number of Covid-19 cases will be managed well and that quarantine and related measures will be loosened. The situation of the poor in this city is very difficult. They will be suffering for a long time from the effects of the pandemic.

(Read this article and others in German in the recent Swiss Newsletter here)

Tags: