the covid-19 crisis: We’re here to help

To our supporters: We are seeing an unprecedented increase in demand for assistance and are supporting a number of high-risk individuals with underlying heart and lung problems who have poor health insurance. We have also assembled a volunteer task-force to assist hundreds of refugees who lived paycheck to paycheck and are struggling as shifts and jobs are cut. Please donate here to support these efforts and/or volunteer with our support team (donations processed in USD).

The COVID-19 has has now spread to millions of people in the United States, with every person in the country now affected by lockdowns, social-distancing and the economic downturn. Refugee resettlement services have largely collapsed, with limited support for new arrivals — all new arrivals should email us at help@ads-up.org.

We want to help you keep informed about the risks, and help you manage the economic impact.

Here’s what we want you to know: 

  • The Coronavirus is a risk mainly to older people (over 60-years-old) and to people with health problems already, such as breathing or lung problems, heart problems, cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

  • If you have lost you job or are having trouble finding work, you may be eligible for financial assistance, rent deferral or emergency medical insurance. Please email help@ads-up.og so we can help you navigate the situation and apply for applicable support.

  • Up to 20% of people with coronavirus need to go to hospital. Coronavirus kills between 1-3% of people who catch it -- people most at risk are people who have health problems already, or people over 65-years-old. However, young, healthy people have also been killed by the disease.

  • Most people have few or no symptoms, just coughing, a high temperature, fever or shortness of breath -- like a mild cold or flu. However, even young, healthy people have had to be hospitalized for the illness. It is a serious disease.

  • Everyone should be careful and try to stop from catching or spreading coronavirus:

    • Wear a mask whenever traveling in public, avoid crowded spaces, dine outdoors in restaurants

    • Wash your hands with soap often for at least 20 seconds each time

    • Try not to touch your face, mouth, nose and eyes with your hands

    • Avoid holding onto escalator rails. Push elevator buttons with your elbow

    • Don’t shake hands with people or greet people with kisses

    • Comply with all state and local regulations and lockdown orders

  • For those at higher risk (60+ or with diabetes, lung or heart problems):

    • Stay away from crowded places, including shopping malls, church, mosques and sporting games, and try to avoid use of busy buses and trains

    • Stay indoors more than usual and cut down on going outside -- we can show you how to use online shopping to have your groceries delivered

    • Make sure you have your prescriptions and medications filled for 90 days now, in case it becomes too dangerous to risk going outside in the coming weeks

    • If you are at high risk and can no longer go to work, please email us for assistance paying your bills: help@ads-up.org 

  • Children seem to have very few issues and are at low risk, but they can catch it and they can spread it. Schools may soon be closed for some time to come.

  • If you are older or have health problems and need a bike for transportation, please let us know at help@ads-up.org

  • Please make sure you have health insurance and know how to use it, if you do not know about your health insurance, please ask us at help@ads-up.org 

  • In some cities in the United States, there may be quarantine orders. This may mean that there are some days when you cannot leave the house. You should prepare for this by buying extra food if you can, to last up to 2 weeks -- rice, pasta, and canned beans and canned fruit and vegetables are good to buy. If you need help with this, we can send you some food to keep in storage. Please email us at help@ads-up.org


If you need any help understanding this page, or have any questions, please send us an email or a message on Facebook (www.facebook.com/adsupusa). 

For more information, you can visit the US Center for Disease Control website here.

Each state also has local COVID-19 websites with information on hospitals and lockdown orders. Google the name of your state and ‘.gov’ and you will find the official website with up to date information.

Stay safe,
Ads-Up Refugee Network