As a South African based civil society organisation, ACCORD applauds the South African Government for its forward-thinking measures in its response to the #COVID19 pandemic. Tough times are ahead for many countries, and the call for a united South Africa and a united world. The team at ACCORD has been inspired by this action, and is challenging colleagues, peers, families and the business community to work towards building solidarity and social cohesion in South Africa and globally. So we are calling on everyone to donate to the @WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund (https://covid19responsefund.org/); or if you are here in South Africa to donate to the South African Solidarity Fund (https://www.solidarityfund.co.za/). ACCORD has been resolving political conflict and building social cohesion throughout Africa over the last twenty-eight years, and will bring to bear on its experience through friends, partners and networks to emerge a stronger world; and ready to build a more responsible world. In response to the pandemic, ACCORD was quick to respond and has established a Task Team dedicated to preventing COVID-19 related conflict in our communities. Today, ACCORD begins the #solidaritychallenge to encourage donations to the South African Solidarity Fund as a way of encouraging both monetary and non-monetary contributions towards collective action and supporting the most vulnerable in all our communities. It is estimated that, on average, 1 case of COVID-19 infects up to 3 more so let’s take up the challenge. Mobilize 3 people through #solidaritychallenge to beat the exponential spread of the virus with our own contributions to the health of the nation! Through this initiative, ACCORD and our Global Peace campaign have called upon our own solidarity. Our staff have raised over R 10 000 for the South African Solidarity Fund and are also creating an online platform to post all our training material to prevent conflict in our communities with specific courses addressing the risks posed by COVID-19. We hope that you will respond and pass on the #solidaritychallenge to make a donation or tell world how you are making a difference and how we can build a better world.
