How to support your community during the pandemic

Across the world, the number of people contracting COVID-19 is steadily increasing and doctors and healthcare personnel have been working hard to deal with a growing number of infected cases. As the lack of face masks, hand sanitiser and food supplies begins affecting our community, our friends and neighbours are going to find themselves in need. 

Already, the outbreak has forced widespread closures and cancellations; business is down at stores, bars, restaurants, hotels and more across the country. So in these uncertain and concerning times, here are a few  ways to support your Bangkok community

Food for Heroes

Support hospital staff and other key workers from the comfort of your home with Dusit’s new food donation service. Baan Dusit Thani and Dusit Suites Hotel Ratchadamri are now offering a ‘Food for Heroes’ delivery service that gives you the perfect opportunity to thank those who are working around the clock to protect people and save lives during the Covid-19 outbreak — by treating them to a healthy and delicious meal. Available to order now, meals for donation range in price from THB 100 to 120 (with a minimum order of 10 boxes), and Dusit will donate one extra food box for every 10 food boxes ordered. You can add personal messages for free, and, for a small additional fee, decorative items such as flowers and balloons. Donate today by calling the Hotline on 02-200-9009 or via LINE @baandusitthanimeals. Find visual information here.

TaeJai.com

The TaeJai project started with the desire to help people who want to do good things for society. Teaming up with KhonThai Foundation and the ChangeFusion Institute, they’ve created a central hub for crowdfunding campaigns that aim to support those in need. Here are some of the projects on the platform right now:

Klongtoey Dee Jung 

Every THB 30 donated covers one meal for a member of the Khlong Toey community, many of whom are struggling or unemployed during this crisis. Proceeds also go towards keeping small shops open, in order for employees to earn income that can be circulated within the community. You can support here.

Give for Child Fight COVID-19

Help to give 300 families in the southern border provinces (Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala) the chance at a vibrant life by providing educational equipment, scholarships to needy children, survival bags and short-term career support funds. Find more details and how you can support here.

Isolation Facility

The Shelter for Isolation Detention Center was established to help reduce the burden on hospitals of Covid-19 patients, especially for those who would struggle to find somewhere to self-isolate. The facility allows everyone to have somewhere safe to convalesce, with care and supervision from medical personnel, while freeing up hospital resources and beds. Support with a donation here.

COVID Thailand AID

The elderly and vulnerable are particularly in need right now and COVID Thailand Aid is working hard to organise charities and social services in this time of crisis. They connect resources and volunteers to support our seniors in need (especially those living alone) and the disabled people in Bangkok. They also have a network of volunteers willing to help and reduce loneliness so that seniors don’t have to leave the house. 

In order to raise support, they’re running a collaboration crowdfunding campaign to help the vulnerable groups across Thailand during COVID-19. 

Donate here; your support goes towards:

1. Care Package for seniors, low-income families, refugees and people in need
2. Meals for the homeless
3. Emergency supplies for professionals battling the virus on the frontline

Covid Relief Bangkok

This public Facebook group coordinates relief efforts to support the most vulnerable people in the city. The group was established by SATI Foundation, Scholars of Sustenance, and Urban Studies Lab to coordinate a relief effort to help those most in need around Bangkok. They’re using demographics data to identify the most in-need communities based on age and pre-existing conditions. Join the active group here to find out how you can help, what you can donate and how to deliver items safely to Bangkok 1899, which has kindly opened its doors for drop-offs. The group is also looking for more organisations to join in the efforts.

Right now, we have to pull together and do what we can to support each other. Be kind, stay safe and wash your hands. 

Credits: 

Dusit

TaeJai

COVID Thailand AID

Covid Relief Bangkok