A study of Caabuqa-Corona in the Somali Diaspora: histories of covid-19, male elders and communtiy responses in Tower Hamlets and the East End of London

Preliminary official statistics and popular perceptions suggest Covid-19 has disproportionately impacted BMAE communities in Britain. This research addresses the urgent need to respond to the likely high death rates among the Somali diaspora. It seeks to provide a detailed case-study of Somali male elders and their families in some of the poorest London boroughs, by reconstructing personal histories of Covid-19 through five phases: initial responses, illness, deaths, recovery, and moving forward - a biography of a pandemic weathered by transnational migrants. Specifically it seeks to uncover the extent of mortality and illness among male elders: what factors shaped their understanding of the disease; their responses; immediate impact; their long-term health; the role of community mobilisation; and how this experience has changed (or not) their views, behaviour and attitudes to 'home' . The aim is to provide evidence and analysis to help formulate national policies to increase pandemic resilience.