COVID-19 Global Indigenous Nation and Family Fund

COVID-19 Global Indigenous Nation and Family Fund


Indigenous Nations and families around the world are facing ongoing health, education, and food-security emergencies, as the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects them and their elders. Today, the virus is spreading among Indigenous communities at the highest rates yet.

In response, the COVID19 Indigenous Health Partnership, a collaboration between the Harvard Medical School COVID-19 Student Response Team and the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, in conjunction with Tribal Link Foundation, have started a fundraiser to support Indigenous Nations and families across the world as they combat the pandemic.

To start, we have identified four Indigenous Nations and initiatives we are partnering with where financial support would make a profound difference. The funds will also support Indigenous families from Kenya to Mexico, who are struggling to put food on the table due to shutdowns and job losses. 


Four Indigenous Partner Nations:

1) Navajo/Hopi Indigenous communities in USA, North America

2) Chittagong Hill Tracts Indigenous communities in Bangladesh, Asia

3) The Wayana Indigenous community in Suriname, South America 

4) The Samburu Indigenous community in Kenya, Africa


Photo from Emily Lerosion, woman leader of the Samburu Indigenous Nation in Kenya, one of our four community partners.

Photo/Vignette from Gabriel Tripura, a local leader of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Indigenous Nation, one of our four community partners.

"One example of how COVID-19 has affected the lives of the Indigenous community is the story of Ms. Martina Tripura. Ms. Tripura is a part of the Tripura indigenous group and lives in a rural area with her parents (Basil Moro Para, Bali Para, Thanchi, Bandarban Hill District). Her knowledge of COVID-19 is limited, besides the fact that the disease is killing people all over the world. Ms. Martina Tripura currently faces many difficulties due to the changes made due to COVID-19, which have negatively impacted her mental health and personal lifestyle. She is always isolated at home, can’t attend school, unable to communicate with the outside world and participate in social activities, and can’t access medical facilities, even to purchase menstrual products. Due to the sudden occurrence of COVID, these people cannot physically be with their families. Her entire community is facing many difficulties, including a food crisis, lack of access to medical services, impaired economic development, and fear of COVID-19 transmission. As a result, COVID-19 has rendered the community helpless and vulnerable. She predicts that even after the COVID-19 pandemic, people will have more problems regarding equality, humanitarian services, development, and social harmony."

What is going on in Ms. Tripura's community is happening in Indigenous communities around the world.  Gathered funds will go to the Indigenous leaders from these communities to help them lead their local battles against COVID-19, and Indigenous families from various countries and communities trying to make ends meet. The funds will be used to support necessities including but not limited to:

- Food
- Water
- Menstrual products
- Transport of medical doctors to and from communities
- Transport of community members to and from clinics/hospitals
- Masks 
- Gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Vitamins
- Internet and electricity so Indigenous children can learn from home 


Thank you for your consideration and support.


Info about the organizers: Led by Indigenous Youth, the COVID-19 Indigenous Health Partnership brings together medical students, physicians, allied health professionals, and human rights experts to partner with Indigenous Peoples and communities on their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Tribal Link Foundation's mission is to support the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples worldwide by building their capacity to protect their ways of life and preserve their sacred lands and knowledge for the betterment of humanity. Tribal Link connects indigenous peoples to information, resources, and relevant networks, with a special focus on the United Nations system, and provides outreach to the public regarding indigenous peoples and their issues. Tribal Link is an NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN.