Restaurants everywhere have been forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This left kitchens empty and chefs out of work, while others found themselves on the streets as a result of lockdown measures. So many chefs have opened up their hearts and, more to the point, their kitchens to feed those in need. Michelin-star chef Vikas Khanna has gone a step further, he has fed 13 million people during India’s lockdown, and counting.
In Egypt, especially the poorer part of the population is hit hard by government measures to stop the spread of corona. Egypt’s celebrities are stepping up, challenging each other to participate in ‘The Goodness Challenge’, to help ease the economic burden.
Because of corona, restaurants and cafes in the Netherlands can only receive visitors on a very limited scale. Many of their suppliers are left with large stocks because the customer demand had decreased. Low on financial reserves, they need immediate support. And in this hour of need, the Dutch rally behind their locals.
When Africa’s first cases of corona were discovered in Egypt and Algeria, the continent held its breath. It is difficult to abide by hygiene and social distancing rules in densely populated and impoverished communities, and not everyone can afford to buy protective face masks. African Masks turned to crowdfunding to provide masks for some of Africa’s poorest communities.
A Kenyan university graduate has invented an automatic hand-washing machine to prevent the spread of COVID-19. When 27-year-old James Nyakera heard about the coronavirus pandemic, he soon realised that the disease spreads rapidly when villagers have to use the same tap. His invention means citizens can tap water and use soap without actually touching anything.
Spring is usually the busiest time of year for the Dutch flower trade. This year, however, things have become quiet at Aalsmeer Flower Auction in the Netherlands, the blossom trade capital of the world. The corona crisis has brought the international flower trade to an almost complete standstill. In an effort to help boost the wilting flower industry Dutch companies and its citizens are stepping in to help stem the losses caused by Covid-19 and to make life a little more bearable for many who are suffering during these challenging times.
Pakistan’s coronavirus lockdown left many low-income workers without a job. However, the Pakistan government discovered a way to turn the crisis into an opportunity by employing people to plant trees. This enabled them to earn a decent income as well as prepare the country for the next big crisis: climate change.