FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: gregg@ncapaonline.org
May 14, 2020
COLLABORATIVE AGAINST PANDEMIC THREATS TO ASIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ANNOUNCED
Congressmember Judy Chu Lauds “Emergency Response Network” Website, Citing Spike in Anti-Asian Hate Crimes
Washington D.C. – Today, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) formally launched a national collaborative to counter the negative effects of COVID-19 impacting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) praised NCAPA for initiating the AAPI Emergency Response Network (ERN) website. The website brings the AAPI non-profit community, private sector, influencers and others together to create an information repository focused on key issues including: countering the alarming rise of anti-Asian hate crimes; providing in-language and culturally specific health resources; and supporting the needs of the AAPI small business community in response to COVID-19.
“I want to commend NCAPA and the multitude of AAPI organizations who have come together to launch the AAPI Emergency Response Network, which will provide critical COVID-19 related resources to the AAPI community. While the coronavirus crisis has impacted the lives of all Americans, we have seen a disproportionate impact on the health and economic well-being of millions of AAPIs, both in terms of the anti-Asian bigotry this pandemic has incited, as well as the health inequities and language barriers that have impeded access to lifesaving care,” said Rep. Judy Chu. “With over 1,900 anti-Asian hate incidents reported to date, nearly 2 million Asian-owned businesses facing dire economic impacts, and the devastating COVID-19 infection and mortality rates we are seeing in the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community, it is more important than ever that we stand united to ensure that all AAPIs have access to the critical information and resources they need to weather this crisis.”
“The Emergency Response Network website reflects a coordinated effort among many AAPI leaders to come together during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of NCAPA. “The community response to these incredibly challenging times reflects how much the AAPI community has grown. All across the country, our community has banded together in new and creative ways; and while it is inspiring to see, we also recognize the need to continue to build solidarity and trust. This website aims to serve as a first step towards building a central information hub for the community to benefit from.
I’d also like to thank Representative Chu for her tireless leadership over the past few months. In many ways, the ERN website came about through her vision and leadership. Not only has she been a consistent and unapologetic voice in Congress for AAPIs, but she continues to provide a steadying presence as we work to come together.”
Hate Incidents
In the wake of COVID-19, more than 1,900 hate incidents directed specifically at the AAPI community have been reported in 46 states, with 32 percent of Americans reporting seeing Asians being blamed for the pandemic. This, while an estimated 2,000,000 AAPI essential workers staff vital public safety sectors.
Health
The ERN serves as a central hub for resources for the AAPI community in these difficult times, providing COVID-19-related health information, translated into different AAPI languages.
Small Business
The ERN offers small business resources to support the needs of the AAPI small business community in response to COVID-19. Resources include employee support programs, disaster loan programs, SBA translated documents, and more.
Current collaborators of the ERN website include:
- National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
- Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)
- Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
- Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON)
- Committee of 100
- Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE)
- TDW+Co.
- IW Group
- Civic Leadership USA
- South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)
- Chinese for Affirmative Action
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Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of 35 national Asian Pacific American organizations that serves to represent the interests of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. Our communities are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, currently making up approximately six percent of the population.