Don’t Build an Ark in the Middle of a Flood: Why Our Participation in the Covid 19 Public Inquiry Matters

By The Traveller Movement

When the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the UK, Romani Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller communities were left stranded in the floodwaters of government decision-making. Vaccine uptake among these communities was almost non-existent, not because of a lack of need, but because of a devastating lack of communication, inclusion, and trust. They were not seen, not heard, and not included in the vaccine rollout. The result? Vulnerable lives were put at unnecessary risk. 

This cannot happen again. 

This week, the Traveller Movement made an impactful and hard-hitting opening submission to Module 4 of the Covid Inquiry, which focuses on the vaccine rollout. Represented by Chris Jacobs of @Landmark Chambers, with the support of the brilliant @Howe & Co legal team, our CEO, Yvonne MacNamara, gave evidence based on an expertly crafted witness statement. We didn’t just show up; we made it clear that the invisibility, exclusion, and mistrust that defined the government’s response to our communities must end. 

Why the Covid Inquiry Matters 

The Covid Inquiry is an unprecedented opportunity to ensure the failures of the past are not repeated in the future. For the first time, we have a platform to shine a spotlight on how Romani Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities were failed during the pandemic, particularly during the vaccine rollout. 

Our participation isn’t just about recounting past injustices. It’s about shaping future policies, ensuring that no community is left behind in a time of crisis. The benefits of being part of this inquiry are enormous: 

1. Visibility and Inclusion
   The inquiry has given us a platform to highlight the systemic invisibility of Romani Gypsy Roma and Irish Traveller communities in public health strategies. By being part of the process, we are ensuring that our voices are finally heard at the highest levels. 

1. Building Trust for the Future
   Historic mistrust between Romani Gypsy, Roma and Traveller  communities and public institutions cannot be ignored. The inquiry provides an opportunity to address this mistrust by calling for transparent and inclusive strategies that build bridges, not barriers. 

1. Shaping Cross-Departmental Solutions
   One of our key recommendations is the development of a cross-departmental strategy to tackle the health inequalities faced by GRT communities. This is informed by a recommendation from the Women and Equalities Committee . Such a strategy would encompass: 

• A national framework for addressing health inequalities. 

• Addressing the “data desert” by ensuring Romani Gypsy, Irish Traveller and Roma ethnicities are properly represented in NHS data collection and health models. 

• Improving communication and outreach to build trust and engagement. 

1. Accountability and Change
   This inquiry isn’t just about reflecting on what went wrong; it’s about holding institutions accountable and demanding meaningful change. We must ensure that future public health responses prioritize equity and inclusion. 

What We Highlighted in Our Submission 

During our opening submission, we emphasized several critical issues: 

• The invisibility and exclusion of Romani Gypsy Roma and Irish Traveller communities in public health campaigns. 

• The lack of communication and engagement with our communities, which perpetuated vaccine hesitancy. 

• The complete lack of trust between Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller people and central and local government, which was exacerbated by years of systemic discrimination. 

We called for systemic changes, including a national framework to address health inequalities and for the NHS to recognize the distinct ethnicities in their data models and dictionaries of Romani Gypsies, Irish Travellers and Roma people.  These changes are essential to ensuring that these communities are not overlooked in future public health crises. 

Learning from the Past to Build a Better Future 

The pandemic taught us that waiting for a crisis to include marginalized communities is too little, too late. You cannot build an ark in the middle of a flood. Instead, we need proactive, pre-emptive strategies to ensure that no one is left behind when the next crisis hits. 

The Traveller Movement and our sector colleagues and advocacy campaigners are beating the drum for change for many years.  The Covid Inquiry has given us real hope that these drums are finally being heard. 

Our participation is a step toward justice, visibility, and inclusion for our communities. But the work doesn’t stop here. Together, we must ensure that the failures of the past are transformed into lessons for the future—so that no one is left behind in the flood again. 

Let’s keep the pressure on. Let’s keep building. And let’s make sure the ark is ready long before the storm comes. 

 For more information about the Traveller Movement’s work visit www.travellermovement.org.uk