Life in a tent at a refugee camp is a world apart from the challenges faced by parents like me, who are trying to manage work-from-home chaos while keeping our kids engaged. I’ve been grappling with the daily juggle—keeping my children entertained, ensuring they eat healthy meals, and constantly reminding them to wash their hands. I’m sure many of you can relate to the frustration of creating a routine that often goes off the rails or the struggle to keep kids focused during virtual classes.
But now, picture a mother with none of the comforts we take for granted: no tablets to distract the kids, no established schedules, and certainly no running water to enforce good hygiene practices. This is the harsh reality for countless mothers trapped in refugee camps, living in constant fear of what might come next.
As I navigate my own challenges during these stressful times, I find my thoughts drifting to women I met last year in the Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan, which houses nearly 77,000 Syrian refugees, many of whom are children. During my work with Oxfam America, I witnessed the resilience of these mothers and can’t help but wonder how they are coping amid the pandemic.
Dire Conditions in Refugee Camps
Conditions in refugee camps are dire. In many places, a single water tap services up to 250 people, making basics like hand washing nearly impossible. At the Moria camp in Greece, designed for 3,000 but currently housing nearly 20,000, the figures are staggering: over 160 people share filthy toilets, and more than 500 rely on just one shower. With 325 individuals sharing a single water source, and often no soap available, practicing social distancing or hygiene is a fantasy.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Populations
As the COVID-19 death toll escalates in wealthier nations, I fear for the most vulnerable populations. Approximately three billion people worldwide live in extreme poverty, lacking essential resources like clean water and adequate healthcare. In Gaza, for instance, fewer than 70 ICU beds are available for a population of two million amid confirmed COVID-19 cases. Yemen faces an even bleaker scenario, with only half of its healthcare facilities operational and over 17 million without access to clean water.
The humanitarian system was already stretched thin before the pandemic hit, and the current crisis has only exacerbated issues for those in need. Oxfam is mobilizing its efforts to reach marginalized communities in over 50 countries, providing vital assistance and helping to curb the virus’s spread. In Za’atari, we’ve already conducted hygiene awareness sessions for thousands of children, utilizing WhatsApp to share critical health messages during the lockdown.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, where over 855,000 Rohingya live in crowded conditions, Oxfam is rapidly distributing soap and setting up hand washing stations in communal areas to support 70,000 refugees.
Our Collective Responsibility
The coronavirus serves as a stark reminder that no one can tackle this crisis in isolation. While we focus on protecting our families, we must also advocate for those less fortunate. We cannot afford to ignore the needs of others—our collective safety depends on ensuring everyone is cared for.
For more insights on motherhood and family planning, you might find this article on home insemination interesting, or visit Make a Mom for valuable resources. You can also explore CDC’s resource for more information on fertility and health.
In summary, the plight of mothers in refugee camps during these challenging times highlights the interconnectedness of our global community. We must extend our compassion and support to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against this pandemic.
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