Aster and Gidey are two mothers who had to leave their homes as tensions grew, witnessing extreme atrocities along the way. Now having reached safety, they talked of raising awareness of what they had experienced, wishing for the world to know what happened to their lives and families.

COVID-19 has already overwhelmed health systems in high-income countries. As it spreads to fragile and crisisaffected countries, it threatens even greater devastation. There is a small window left to mount a robust response while COVID-19 is still in the early stages of spreading to these settings. COVID-19 is a global threat requiring a global response, but the steps to contain it should be designed locally, particularly in the crisis settings where the International Rescue Committee (IRC) works, to avoid exacerbating humanitarian suffering.