A thought for the poor in trying times

AT THIS difficult time in our country, as we celebrate Human Rights Month, the very concept of our basic rights is threatened by Covid-19.

This is somewhat ironic. Who would have thought that, one day, basic human rights entrenched in the Constitution would be threatened, not by war or political instability, but by a virus. This pandemic is not the first of its kind.

Today, our nation battles to deal with a health disaster that threatens our very existence, a virus that has taken 16 591 lives and has spread to 383 429 people worldwide, with over 700 cases here at home.

The National Disaster Management Act has been invoked, laying out clear regulations regarding the gathering and movement of people. Both are rights anchored in our Bill of Rights that allows for freedom of association and movement.

The act allows these and other rights to be controlled or inhibited in the event of a national disaster. Much has been penned about the considerable consequences for our already declining economy, how different sectors of business stand to lose hundreds of millions if not billions of rand.

There is no doubt that this is a national disaster. Over a period of two weeks, the JSE All Share Index dropped 15%, the mining, banking and tourism sectors, among others, have also been severely hit.

The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency and we have declared a national lockdown.

However, in this month dedicated to celebrating human rights, have we given any attention to the poorest of the poor?

This pandemic will further affect their right to food and shelter, in the words of the Bill of Rights, the right to human dignity and life.

One of the consequences of the measures announced is that organisations, churches and civil society groups that have been active in mobilising volunteers and feeding hundreds of thousands of people, will not be able to function.

It is crucial to provide solutions and direction to these groups in how to re-organise the programmes that seek to ease the plight of the most vulnerable in our country. There needs to be clear guidance and communication on an alternative and safe way for these feeding programmes.

This most fragile part of our population cannot be left to choose between dying of hunger and dying from Covid-19. Their very right to life and ability to survive the existing nightmare is in question.

We must also remember the hundreds of thousands of children who benefit from the government school-feeding scheme. What now happens to the children for whom this sandwich was the only meal of the day? Even worse, those who hid their sandwiches to take home and share with their starving siblings and parents? There needs to be an alternative and safe way to get food to them.

Perhaps some good can come out of this crisis if it gets us all to feel vulnerable for a change. Perhaps this vulnerability and fear for our lives and livelihoods will help us relate to fellow citizens who face these realities every day. Maybe this is what it will take to think of others and be more willing to share because no amount of money can save us from this crisis.