This is one story as part of the Voices of People with Disabilities during COVID19 Outbreak series
Some names may have been changed to protect the individuals mentioned in the story.
We published the Story of Rose Rokiatou about COVID-19 Pandemic and Financial Vulnerability of Persons with Disabilities in Mali in this page on April 28, 2020. On May 4th, Rose contacted a national Malian newspaper called "Le Matin" to share the situation of persons with disabilities during COVID-19. The newspaper was interested and asked for more information. No sooner said than done, Rose forwarded her testimony as published on IDA’s website, and two days later, the newspaper published the article and included the title in the front page, along these words "Persons with Disabilities in Total Disarray". Rose herself was unaware of what the title of the article would be until it was public and became concerned about the repercussions of such a striking title.
When the article was published, the Ministry of Development contacted the President of FEMAPH (Malian Federation of the Associations of Disabled People) asking for more details on the situation of persons with disabilities. As a result of the article, FEMAPH was included in the government’s assistance program for vulnerable people affected by COVID-19. However, provisions are rather low and do not cover the needs of the entire population. “Persons with disabilities in my commune receive very little food, and the price of it is almost equivalent to the travel costs from remote zones”, claimed Rose. In such a context, many will choose to stay at home rather than to have to cover the travelling costs of collecting the food. “Besides that, we share whatever we receive with whoever accompanies us (often a personal assistant) as compensation for their work.” says Rose. Moreover, there is a lack of organisation in the distribution process, as hundreds of people are crammed together, and social distancing is not maintained.
Until this day, FEMAPH has not yet received the food in question, but the name of the association still appears on the list of beneficiaries. Despite the increased visibility and public attention regarding the situation of persons with disabilities in Mali, there still remains much to be done.
Please read below the first part of Rose’s story, published on April 28, 2020:
Rose Rokiatou is a Bridge CRPD-SDGs alumni. She is a woman with a physical disability residing in Mali. Rose reached out to the International Disability Alliance (IDA) to share the difficulties that persons with physical disabilities face in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in her country.
COVID-19 and persons with disabilities in Mali
As of April 27, 2020, there are 408 recorded coronavirus cases in Mali. “Thanks to Allah, no one around me nor myself have been infected by COVID-19. Unfortunately, however, I am still affected by the virus in other ways”, says Rose. Beyond immediate health concerns, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused acute anxiety over financial stability among persons with disabilities in Mali. The livelihoods of people with disabilities have been disproportionately affected as a result of shelter-in-place order and closure of all nonessential businesses.
Financial instability
Governments around the world have frozen social and economic activities in all parts of their respective countries to contain the spread of the COVID-19. Closure of nonessential businesses and stay-at-home order were essential to prevent the exponential spread of the virus surge that would inundate the healthcare system. While we are aware that closure of all nonessential businesses has triggered an economic downturn globally, little is known about the impact of this measure on the financial stability of persons with disabilities in many countries including Mali.
“People with disabilities face higher financial consequences than others”, says Rose.
She also underlines that people with disabilities are the worst hit by shelter-in-place measures. This segment of the population, unlike others who have transitioned to work from home, do not receive paychecks. Rose says, “People with disabilities do not have access to education. They are mostly illiterate. This is the reason why they work essentially in informal sectors such as hairdressers, sewing, arts, and crafts, etc. As a result of shelter-in-place orders and closure of non-essential businesses, people with disabilities are being deprived of a real source of income. They find themselves to be in a survival situation”.
Rose told us that she owns a small shop. The shop is her only stable source of income and it ensures her financial autonomy. However, when the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Mali, she had to close her shop. “Due to my impairment, I am more vulnerable to COVID-19 contagion. So, out of the fear, I had to close my business”, she explains.
Since the closure, Rose has had a hard time sustaining her livelihood. She has been cut off from the only source of her income. As a result, she had to put her life in danger and reopen her shop. “Since March 1st, I had to open my shop for sales again, even if it meant only 2-3 customers per day. But I take all precautionary measures: I wear a mask, sanitize my hands with hydroalcoholic gel, and try to keep a physical distance. There is still a high risk, especially when dealing with cash, but I have no other options”, says Rose.
She further explains, “The situation of people with disabilities has gone from difficult to survival due to COVID-19.” To the overall situation in Mali, the government pledged to mobilize at least CFA 500 billion (approximately USD 825 million) to support the economy and assist the populations that is the most vulnerable to the coronavirus. Yet, she has not received any financial or in-kind assistance. With the lack of income, it is extremely hard for persons with disabilities to meet their ends.
Rose Rokiatou is a Bridge CRPD-SDGs alumni. She is a woman with a physical disability residing in Mali. Rose reached out to the International Disability Alliance (IDA) to share the difficulties that persons with physical disabilities face in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in her country.
COVID-19 and persons with disabilities in Mali
As of April 27, 2020, there are 408 recorded coronavirus cases in Mali. “Thanks to Allah, no one around me nor myself have been infected by COVID-19. Unfortunately, however, I am still affected by the virus in other ways”, says Rose. Beyond immediate health concerns, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused acute anxiety over financial stability among persons with disabilities in Mali. The livelihoods of people with disabilities have been disproportionately affected as a result of shelter-in-place order and closure of all nonessential businesses.
Financial instability
Governments around the world have frozen social and economic activities in all parts of their respective countries to contain the spread of the COVID-19. Closure of nonessential businesses and stay-at-home order were essential to prevent the exponential spread of the virus surge that would inundate the healthcare system. While we are aware that closure of all nonessential businesses has triggered an economic downturn globally, little is known about the impact of this measure on the financial stability of persons with disabilities in many countries including Mali.
“People with disabilities face higher financial consequences than others”, says Rose. She also underlines that people with disabilities are the worst hit by shelter-in-place measures. This segment of the population, unlike others who have transitioned to work from home, do not receive paychecks. Rose says, “People with disabilities do not have access to education. They are mostly illiterate. This is the reason why they work essentially in informal sectors such as hairdressers, sewing, arts, and crafts, etc. As a result of shelter-in-place orders and closure of non-essential businesses, people with disabilities are being deprived of a real source of income. They find themselves to be in a survival situation”.
Rose told us that she owns a small shop. The shop is her only stable source of income and it ensures her financial autonomy. However, when the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Mali, she had to close her shop. “Due to my impairment, I am more vulnerable to COVID-19 contagion. So, out of the fear, I had to close my business”, she explains.
Since the closure, Rose has had a hard time sustaining her livelihood. She has been cut off from the only source of her income. As a result, she had to put her life in danger and reopen her shop. “Since March 1st, I had to open my shop for sales again, even if it meant only 2-3 customers per day. But I take all precautionary measures: I wear a mask, sanitize my hands with hydroalcoholic gel, and try to keep a physical distance. There is still a high risk, especially when dealing with cash, but I have no other options”, says Rose.
She further explains, “The situation of people with disabilities has gone from difficult to survival due to COVID-19.” To the overall situation in Mali, the government pledged to mobilize at least CFA 500 billion (approximately USD 825 million) to support the economy and assist the populations that is the most vulnerable to the coronavirus. Yet, she has not received any financial or in-kind assistance. With the lack of income, it is extremely hard for persons with disabilities to meet their ends.
