UHAI EASHRI is Africa’s first indigenous activist fund supporting sexual and gender minorities and sex worker human rights.
In the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we are standing in solidarity, courage and revolutionary love with all our LGBTQI and Sex Worker communities around the world, our grantee partners, funders and the community in general.
We know that like most of us, you may have already received an influx of information which we do not intend to add to. Instead, we recognise that the social distancing required of us all will impact directly and negatively on those in our community whose livelihoods depend on physical interaction, negotiation and building intimacy. Our thoughts are also with those of us who are without a roof over their heads and a place to call home within which they can safely quarantine themselves. We send love to those whose countries of origin have invalidated their citizenry and continue to deny them safe haven in this time of increased vulnerability when we may want most to be close to our loved ones. In deep solidarity, we hope to encourage you all in the knowledge that as a people, as a continent and as a community we have never been defined by how dire our situations have been, but by the perseverance, solidarity and power we have demonstrated in those dark times. Grace, love and courage have led us through many times, and this pandemic will be no different.
Eastern Africa, which is our region of support has been last to be hit by the COVID-19 Pandemic with 6 of the 7 countries of our support recently reporting incidences and the numbers more so in other countries within the continent. If the progress of the disease in other regions is anything to go by, we continue to hope for the best but are also preparing for the worst. Particularly given that our communities continue to be criminalised and socially discriminated against with disproportionate access to social amenities and assistance.
Whilst we at UHAI are also taking measures to stay safe and healthy by working remotely, we would like to assure you that we remain committed to our values of flexibility and accessibility in continuing our work and service to our grantee partners with as little interruption as possible. We will also continue, through our philanthropic advocacy, to speak about the need for flexibility and responsiveness in funding support to tide our partners through the pandemic. To our communities in the region, we will soon be sharing more specific information on how together, we can navigate through this period so please look out for more communication.
We urge you all to pay attention to the Health information channelled from your communities and respective Ministries of Health as well as from the World Health Organisation and hold each other in love, kindness and gentility.
All of us from UHAI.