The Navajo Nation still has among the highest coronavirus infection and death rates in the country. The Phoenix Indian Center is seeking donations of bottled water, non-perishable food, diapers, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment to deliver to the reservation.

The Navajo Nation has few grocery stores, and residents have been under strict lockdown for several weeks. Phoenix Indian Center CEO Patti Hibbeler said essential items that can be found in the Phoenix area are much harder to come by on the reservation.

“For people to get to stores sometimes takes them between 30 and 45 minutes and when they’re getting there, the shelves are bare," Hibbeler said.

Hibbeler said bottled water is one of the highest-priority items being sought.

“Thirty percent of the homes up on the Navajo Nation do not have running water, and we know that water is clearly one of the necessities for us to stay safe from COVID-19," she said.

The nonprofit hopes to fill a semitruck with food and supplies to deliver to the hard-hit tribe. The Central Avenue office is collecting items most days through May 14.

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