Alight Extends Reach to 19 Countries as it Increases COVID-19 Emergency Response Preparedness Efforts Worldwide

MINNEAPOLIS, March 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads globally, Alight, formerly known as American Refugee Committee, has expanded their efforts into all 19 countries that the organization serves, as they continue to make strong inroads in helping refugee communities prepare for the next wave of the virus. By taking a three-pronged approach - Protect, Identify, Respond - Alight is activating an unprecedented response through the use of modern technology on the frontlines of the pandemic to meet the needs of some of the world's most vulnerable populations.

"Since Alight was founded nearly 40 years ago, there has never been a situation like this that hits the entire world at once," says Daniel Wordsworth, Alight CEO. "Our global response is being coordinated by people working remotely from their kitchen tables to connect with our teams thousands of miles away, on the ground, using technology including WhatsApp and ZOOM to lead virtual trainings, share stories, support outreach and more, which has essentially enabled Alight to work as a borderless team during this crisis."

Key updates stateside and from the frontlines in select countries include:                                       

• Virtual COVID-19 prevention training for approximately 500 Alight staff throughout the world
• Activating Alight's ongoing work with Catholic Sisters worldwide to provide virtual COVID-19 emergency response and preparedness trainings, which have already taken place with 400 sisters in El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Morocco, India, Uganda and Zimbabwe
• Utilizing Kuja Kuja, Alight's proprietary data retrieval software, to initiate a refugee community-driven response in the Nakivale Settlement in Uganda
• Securing supplies for health facilities, while also supporting virus surge scenario plans and program designs in Sudan and Somalia
• Working with the Ministry of Health and UNHCR on clinic preparedness in Rwanda, which has been reviewed and approved, and fundraising for free standing isolation units and ambulance/transport services

By utilizing innovative and meaningful ways to communicate, Alight is able to stay connected to their teams and the people they serve in refugee camps and settlements throughout the world. The organization is also able to maintain focus on their mission and passion for doing what they can to provide accurate information and real time best practices needed to flatten the pandemic's curve.

In conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNHCR, and other international groups, Alight relies on the support from communities and individuals to help fund their numerous relief efforts. To learn more about the work Alight is doing and to show your support, please visit www.wearealight.org/covid19response. 

ABOUT ALIGHT
Established in 1978 by founder Neal Ball, Alight, formerly known as American Refugee Committee, provides health care, clean water, shelter, protection and economic opportunities to more than 3.5 million people in 17 countries each year. Alight believes in the incredible creativity, potential, and ingenuity of the displaced and works to shine a light on their humanity, the tremendous amount of good that's already happening and the possibilities to do more. The organization exists to see and help every person make meaningful change in the world – from displaced and marginalized communities in Africa, Asia and the Americas to...anyone, anywhere. Learn more about Alight at www.wearealight.org.

SOURCE Alight

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