Micro Rainbow International Foundation (MRIF), supported by OutRight Action International (OutRight) provided emergency packages to 60 LGBTQI people severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in five provinces and cities:
- Phnom Penh (20)
- Takeo Province (10)
- Battambang Province (10)
- Banteay Meanchey Province (10)
- Siem Reap Province (10)
Basic living packages
Each person received a useful basic living package which included:
- 35kg rice
- 2 boxes of fish
- 1 box of soy source
- 1 box of noodles
- $50 USD cash.
With this important support during these difficult times, each person who received one of the packages will be able to support themselves for at least 3 months. These people are are either:
- jobless,
- have no shelter,
- poor,
- disabled,
- elderly,
- in debt,
- living with HIV,
- sex workers
- without food.
The project also raised awareness about Covid-19, on how it is transmitted and advice on protection. How to see personal support during these difficult times was also shared with the beneficiaries.
All beneficiaries said, they had not received any support during Covid-19. With the support provided they were able to pay rent, buy medicine, pay debt, and support basic needs. The packages were useful to beneficiaries and all were very grateful for the support.
There are a lot of LGBTQI people who need important support in other provinces across Cambodia including with food, medicines and awareness raising such as Covid-19 prevention and self-help during difficult times. We are unable to support all of them them because we have budget limitations. If we had enough resources, we would able to support many more. However, we feel grateful to have been able to provide some relief to 60 LGBTQI people living in poverty.
