Proactive action as part of a coordinated local response to COVID-19
Interview with Zaim Pašić – president of BHCAC
Mr. Pašić, tell us what has been happening at BHCAC since COVID-19 hit the United Kingdom?
From the very beginning, BHCAC has followed the guidance of public health and the UK government in taking all measures to protect our staff, volunteers, service users, people’s lives in general and our National Health Service (NHS). In practical terms, from 17 March 2020 we switched to so-called “remote working”. That is, our professional staff continued to work from home, providing information, advice, advocacy and practical assistance over the phone, while all other activities were suspended until further notice. Fortunately, the organisation’s electronic systems and technology have enabled us to continue working and helping people despite the UK being under lockdown.
BHCAC’s priority was the vulnerable and COVID-19 risk group of service users, namely those over 70 years of age, and a coordinated response to COVID-19 with local civil society organisations led by the London Borough of Brent with the aim of providing adequate and rapid assistance to all citizens. This resulted in BHCAC in Brent COVID-19 Response – Culture & Community Group. On s professional staff made regular phone calls to elderly service users in order to monitor their changes and provide them with adequate assistance. At the same time, they submitted reports from the front line to Brent Municipality so that help could be directed where it was needed. For example, in addition to the local food banks, the municipality of Brent has set up a Hub for the delivery of their food parcels because the demand and needs of the citizens were huge. According to the Office for National Statistics, Brent is one of the poorest boroughs in England and one of London’s most affected by COVID-19. The pressure on our services increased day by day, as we are the only organization in London that supports poor and marginalized Londoners from the Western Balkans. Most of them speak very little or no English, live alone and depend on our service and support.
We have also seen an increase in demand for our social security and housing advice services from the wider community, particularly those who have lost their jobs or are facing eviction. Furthermore, they lack digital skills, which prevents them from applying for Universal Credit and other government entitlements online. In addition, we have seen an increase in demand from local residents for emergency food parcels. In the period March-May 2020, we had a 47% increase in demand for food compared to the previous quarter. BHCAC acts as a referral agent for Surfa NW London Food bank, Ealing Food Bank, has access to a network of food banks across England and can issue electronic vouchers for food parcels.
In this regard, if you allow me, I would like to take this opportunity to inform all members of the Bosnian community living in England, regardless of where they are in the country, who are left without income or are in a difficult financial situation, and need food packages, to contact us by calling the number 020 8459 4201, Monday and Tuesday between 9:00 – 13:00 and 14:00-17:00 hours.
Does social isolation have a significant impact on the vulnerable group of your service users from the Western Balkans?
To our pleasant surprise, in communicating with them we concluded that they are quite resilient. One of the factors that works in their favor is that they are used to living in isolation because they have been living like that since they arrived in the UK. What worries them is the uncertainty of the situation and the concern for their family. Some said that the current situation reminds them of their experiences from the war, and some even worse because in the war they knew where the shells were falling from, while the coronavirus is an invisible enemy. Regardless, they are all well and that makes us especially happy.
What problems do your clients from the wider local community face?
It is difficult to convey the breadth of issues our professional staff face on a daily basis. Many of the people we support have lost their jobs, are waiting 5 weeks for their first Universal Credit payments, are forced into isolation or are homeless or on the verge of homelessness.
There is a significant increase in the number of families falling into poverty with little or no financial support and/or access to food. Migrants are among the hardest hit. For example, a family of three, including a baby, is surviving on £74.35 a week, which is the benefit for one unemployed person. A single mother whose husband has died from COVID-19 has no access to public funds, and she and her two children have no money at all because her husband’s paid work was the family’s only source of income. This means that children from these families are likely to go hungry. Many people accessing our services simply do not have access to the resources to apply or claim for help. Our remote advice and benefits support services act as a lifeline for the most vulnerable and isolated local residents and we do everything we can to provide advice and support over the phone as many users have to self-isolate, lack family support, digital skills and/or simply do not know how to use the government’s social assistance system.
What’s next for BHCAC?
It seems like the time has come since COVID-19 hit the UK, and BHCAC’s response to the wider impacts of coronavirus has in many ways only just begun… The impact of COVID-19 is worsening the situation of existing users, and our concern is that this will push many further into exclusion and poverty. With the uncertainty of COVID-19 and the fact that people cannot return to work and normal life without access to adequate and full support, we expect people’s conditions to worsen. This means increased poverty, homelessness, inability to access basic food and services, increasing debt and pressure on organisations such as BHCAC, local councils, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the NHS. The Brent Borough Food Delivery Hub will soon be closed. Food voucher organisations, of which BHCAC is one, and food banks will have to cope with a tsunami of additional demand. Moreover, we at BHCAC expect even more requests for help with social benefits. With unemployment claims and benefits already at record levels, the economic downturn will clearly last for months, if not years. To respond to this crisis, we at BHCAC are currently working to secure resources to increase the capacity of professional staff and respond to the needs of the wider Brent community. In the meantime, we are working closely with Brent Borough and local civil society organizations to ensure that our response is well coordinated, that work is not duplicated and that more is done to address community issues.
Does Brent Municipality recognize the contribution of BHCAC?
Of course, the recognition of BHCAC’s work goes beyond that. Last week, the Mayor of Brent, Cllr. Ernest Ezeajughi, sent us a letter of appreciation, sincerely thanking the BHCAC team for all they have done. The letter went on to say that the incredible work of the BHCAC team now and in the future will benefit generations to come and will not be forgotten. In addition to this recognition, we have also received a letter from the Deputy Lieutenant of Hammersmith & Fulham, Mr. Kevin McGrath DLA OBE, stating that the work of BHCAC is greatly appreciated, particularly in these turbulent times, and that BHCAC’s work and support for their borough during this period exemplifies everything that is good about our communities and London.
Mr. Pašić, thank you for promoting the good of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian community in the UK and thank you for taking the time for this interview.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ADVISORY CENTER (BHCAC) IN LONDON
