ORGANISERS OF AN online fund to help Native American people who’ve been affected by Covid-19 have thanked Irish people for their support.

A GoFundMe page for the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation has so far surpassed $1.6 million. Organisers say these communities have a particularly high number of people in high-risk groups, such as those who are diabetic, asthmatic or who have cancer.

Covid-19 rates among the community are also higher-per capita than almost all US states.

The Navajo Nation is home to about 175,000 people in an area that straddles three southwestern states and is roughly the size of Scotland.

As well as poor phone and internet connectivity exacerbating information gaps, up to 30% of Navajo people do not have access to running water.

The goal of the Go Fund Me page is to support volunteers to bring groceries, water and health supplies to vulnerable people in the communities.

Many of the recent donors to the fund have come from Ireland, with messages on the message board making reference to the support of Native American people during Ireland’s Great Famine. […]

Read More: https://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-native-american-fund-5091473-May2020/