Hubstohelp vulnerable stayathome
A NETWORK of humanitarian aid centres is to be set up in Scotland to bring food and medicines to 200,000 vulnerable people being told to shield themselves at home for the next three months.
The “Humanitarian Assistance Centres” will work out of community hubs or schools.
They will rely on local volunteers to deliver medicines and food to the doorstep of thousands of people with underlying health conditions.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last night stated that 200,000 people in Scotland with “extreme health vulnerabilities” will be written to in coming days with advice to isolate for 12 weeks and details of how they will be supported.
In an echo of the kind of emergency response seen after earthquakes, it is expected that volunteers working through the centres will work under the coordination of local authorities to make sure no one is left out.
National support underwritten by the UK Treasury initially will ensure access to food and supplies.
Sturgeon signalled Scotland is in lockstep with the plans announced by the UK Communities Minister Robert Jenrick at yesterday’s daily Downing Street press conference.
He said that now was the time to “go further” to shield clinically vulnerable people including those with undergoing cancer treatment, or suffering cystic fibrosis and severe asthma.
He added: “If you are one of these people, I want to assure these people on behalf of the Government that you are not alone. Nobody needs to worry about getting the food and essential items they will need.”