Navajo elderly turned away in cold, waiting for hardship applications

[douglas9]

Navajo elderly waiting in the cold today found out that the Navajo chapters only received 20 to 30 applications for hardship assistance. Some chapters received no applications, said Navajo family members as disabled elderly were being turned away.

The Navajo Nation had promised that today was the day for the elderly and disabled to apply for hardship relief of up to $1,500. It was the day for Dine' ages 65 and older, and disabled, to apply. But they were turned away in the cold due to the lack of applications.

While Navajo elderly were being turned away in the cold today -- the Navajo Council announced that a policy team from the White House will meet with the Navajo Council tomorrow, Tuesday. The public is not invited.

It includes two of Trump's assistant directors and the Asst. Sec. of Interior. There was an immediate outcry from Navajos objecting to the White House virus spreaders coming to the Navajo Council. (See the Navajo Council's statement, the second press statement below.)

Today, on Monday morning at Shiprock Chapter in New Mexico, Dine' elderly were waiting at 6:30 a.m. to apply for hardship assistance and were turned away. Shiprock Chapter said it decided not to distribute the 20 applications it received because it would be unfair.

The Fort Defiance, Arizona, Chapter announced it received 25 applications. Family members of Navajo elderly said they were turned away at 8:30 a.m.

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2020/10/navajo-elderly-turned-away-in-cold.html

[Sanity Claws]

1. is there a donation site for the Navajo elderly?

I could chip in a little.

[douglas9]

2. Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund

The Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation are extreme food deserts with only 13 grocery stores on Navajo to serve some 180,000 people and only 3 small grocery marts on Hopi to serve some 3,000 people. These communities also have high numbers of elderly, diabetic, asthmatic, and cancer-afflicted (i.e., high risk) individuals. These communities could be devastated by coronavirus and COVID-19. We want to help these individuals, especially the elderly and high risk individuals, and families with children, to gain access to the food and water (1/3 of Navajo and Hopi residents do not have running water) and other essential items they will need to weather this pandemic, such as food, PPE, and diapers. The need is so great.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/xjgrfa-navajo-amp-hopi-families-covid19-relief-fund

[Sanity Claws]

3. I just donated

I see that the site is up to $6 million. I hope that the organizer has started distributing the funds.

[2naSalit]

4. K&R for visibility.

[Bradshaw3]

5. K&R n/t