Locked Down and Socially Distanced – but Helpers Still Keep Connected to Refugees

With refugee support groups in Italy having to suspend their normal operations due to the novel coronavirus lockdown, a campaign has taken off to help refugees and migrants stay informed and educated through online videos and hotlines.

“We wanted a campaign to help them in this difficult period, because a lot of them don’t know what they have to do,” says Ilaria Leccardi of APS Cambalache, the non-profit behind the campaign titled #NONSEISOLO – meaning “You are not alone”.

APS Cambalache is posting its materials on its website and on social media in English, French and Italian. It has also set up a WhatsApp account to virtually assist and answer questions during the lockdown that’s forcing people to stay home unless they must travel for work, medical reasons, emergencies or essential grocery shopping.

Other support groups are also setting up multilingual telephone services and sharing essential information online. Altogether, the organizations have published videos on websites and social media – as well as in schools and libraries – in 32 languages to advise about the virus and how to get help.