Utilizing social media technology during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist highly vulnerable populations in the Philippines

Introduction

When it first emerged, few could have imagined the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) developing into a global crisis sendings ocioeconomic systems have been crippled as a result. These strains are exaggerated in low- and middle- income countries where healthcare infrastructures are undeveloped and financial resources are limited In such contexts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in supporting government efforts to serve vulnerable communities that lack access to information, healthcare, and social safety nets. However, national lockdowns and social distancing measures enforced by governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced many organizations to suspend their ongoing operations.

These were the circumstances facing International Care Ministries (ICM). We are a Philippine-based NGO that runs a poverty alleviation program targeting extreme low-income households. When the pandemic led the Philippines to implement strict lockdowns and community quarantines in March 2020, ICM had to suspend all its programs across the country. Although it was clear that the need would be greater than ever, we could not travel to the communities to provide food and health services to the families we serve. With households unable to undertake economic activities due to lockdown measures, the rise in hunger and poverty would be acute and exponential.