FMT in partnership with The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) brings you Covid-19 “healers” from France.

Laurence, a pediatrician for the NGO La Chaîne de l’Espoir and Justine, a health mediator for Première Urgence Internationale conduct their humanitarian support program in the slums of the Parisian suburbs of L’Haÿ-les-Roses and Vitry, Val- de-Marne.

They provide psychological support to children, raise awareness on how the virus spreads, and give advice on how to stay safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many migrants, often from Eastern Europe, are cut off from official information supplied by the French Government about the pandemic, which means they do not take precautionary measures.

Masks and gloves are not worn because of the loss of mobility and lack of means related to confinement.

Première Urgence Internationale distributes the essentials needed to stay as safe as possible during the outbreak, as well as provides the necessary items to improve hygiene conditions, and thus improve public health.

These people, vulnerable in many ways, have been subjected to systematic violence and discrimination throughout Europe. With the spread of COVID-19 in Paris, many migrants were forced to live in slums.

Local authorities note that these sites pose an unacceptable risk to health and safety, ultimately leading to the partial destruction of slums throughout the city and leaving the migrant population even more vulnerable.

George Nickels is a freelance photojournalist and has been working throughout South East Asia and Europe since 2011. The primary focus of his work is covering social conflict and humanitarian issues with his work published in the leading newspapers, magazines and media outlets worldwide. View his profile here.

‘The Other Hundred Healers’ is an initiative by the non-profit organisation GIFT. The 240-page, full-colour, hardcover book can be purchased here at US$40 per copy for a minimum order of 20 copies.