On 4pm Saturday 4 July, nine Melbourne housing towers went into lockdown to prevent further spread of coronavirus.
The residents of the towers across Flemington, Kensington, and North Melbourne had little time to react, and would have to stay within their apartments for five days as part of the 'hard lockdown'.
Many Melburnians want to help those who are currently stuck in the towers without access to basic needs, you can help by donating to the following causes:
- The Victorian Trades Hall Council raised more than $280,000 for the residents. The fundraiser is currently closed, but will open again if the need arises. Find it here.
- Sikh Volunteers Australia is now eligible to accept charity donations. They are already providing free food for residents in the towers. Donate here.
- The Australian Muslim Social Services Agency is asking for donations of masks, gloves, hand sanitiser, uncooked food, baby products, sanitary pads, medical supplies, and toilet paper. Contact them here.
- The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre's catering arm is working with the Victorian Trades Hall Council, STREAT, and Moving Feast to provide meals for residents. Donate to the ASRC here.
- Foodbank Victoria delivered more than 1,500 hampers to families in hard lockdown over the weekend, and will continue that work in the coming days. Donate to Foodbank Victoria here.
Keep up to date with the latest Melbourne lockdown information here.
Image credit: Ben Tyers