While Ethiopia and Uganda have relatively few confirmed cases of coronavirus at present, society has changed dramatically in the last few weeks. Ethiopia has just declared a state of emergency as a result of the pandemic.
Women and Children First is adapting to these changes to help women and children continue to survive and thrive.
Both countries are restricting mass gatherings and community meetings, although it is taking time for this information to reach some of the most rural, poorest communities where the charity works.
Women and Children First, with our partners, are adapting our approach to ensure the safety and good health of the people we are supporting. This includes:
Making temporary facemasks, until stocks arrive, in an effort to reduce the risk of the disease spreading
Training community health workers and volunteers to conduct door-to-door visits (while maintaining a safe distance) to communicate health information, rather than meeting in group settings
Using radio broadcasts to provide health and hygiene advice in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, including the importance of washing hands and not touching the face
Where possible, Women and Children First is looking to deliver some of our training and information sessions online, either via webinars or through a series of video recordings that our partners can access on-demand. Other projects are being deferred to start once the crisis subsides.
As with many charities and organisations, the problems of the communities we work with have not stopped because of the coronavirus.
Many of the women and children we work with still need us.
The needs of pregnant women and children will be exacerbated by the crisis. They will be unable to get to health facilities, which are likely to have fewer health workers available. They are at increased risk of gender-based violence and domestic abuse. There will also likely be an increase in the rates of teenage pregnancies, as with the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone a few years ago.
In addition to our Covid-19 response, we are also trying to ensure the continuation of the highest quality services and advice for women and children.
However, the charity’s cashflow has been impacted by coronavirus. Project activities have been delayed, donors have changed their strategies and, as an overseas charity, we cannot get the support that other organisations can.
This is putting our lifesaving projects under threat.
Women and Children First, and the women and children we work with, need your support more than ever. If you are able to, please do give to keep the charity able to support women and children in the world’s poorest communities.