Humayra Rashid Safa

Project Description:

This research will explore the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted or shaped the capability of Black communities in Toronto to negotiate their health, wellbeing and access to nutrition. In addition, it will examine the possibilities of developing sustainable partnerships between community-based not-for-profit organizations and Black communities and consider implications for social service delivery. In Toronto, Black communities have been reported to be among the segment of the Canadian population most impacted by the pandemic. At the period ending August 4, 2020, City of Toronto data on COVID-19 cases has revealed that Black people constitute 21% of reported cases despite making up only 9% of the city’s population. Analysts see this trend as a repercussion of structural and systemic inequalities that already exist in Toronto. Data is urgently needed to understand the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted or shaped the capability of Black communities to negotiate their health, wellbeing and access to nutrition and how the current status of the population impacts Canada’s ability to meet its development targets. How has the pandemic shaped the socioeconomic resilience and vulnerability within Black communities? What is known about the ways in which community-based organizations are supporting Black communities? How can community-based organizations harness the resilience and capability within Black communities to better deliver services?

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The Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (DARE) – Undergraduate enables our students to meaningfully engage in research projects supervised by LA&PS faculty members. Find out more about DARE.