COVID-19 RESPONSE FOR ZAMBIAN COMMUNITIES

Though COVID-19 is still circulating the globe, Zambia's cases have continued to decline. In February 2022 there were over 4,000 cases daily, whereas in December this year the average daily cases have dropped to 64.

When the coronavirus pandemic reached Zambia, clnics in the rural areas were poorly equipped to cope with the spread of the virus. They had no disinfectant, hand sanitising gel or masks. Medical staff were totally unprotected. One medical officer stated 'had it not been for the support from The Butterfly Tree we would have lost many of our medical staff.'

The Butterfly Tree was able to offer to support to some 30 rural health centres and health posts as well as the town of Kazungula where we provided PPE at the borde  control post to Botswana. In addition, we provided hand washing facilties, hand sanitising gel and disinfectant to 30 rural schools. 

Our volunteers started making masks from local material to give to school children. In the peak of the pandemic pupils were told not to attend school if they did not have a mask. Poverty levels are extreme, especially for orphans, therefore the free masks were invaluable and enabled them to go to school.

Support was given to our team of volunteers as they were unable to earn a living due to the restrictions. Zambia's tourism industry came to a standstill. Villages and communities close to Livignstone and the Victoria Falls heavily depend on tourism as a source of income. Three of the women's projects we iniated were also given help and a new one was developed in early 2022 to provide a sustainable income-generating activity for 200 women in Sekute.

It is hoped that tourism will continue to increase as Zambia has an abundance of wildlife and the magnificent Victoria Falls, a World Heritage site. Local communities are involved in guiding, cultural tours, and the making of wood carvings and other curios.

Thank you for everyone who gave donations to help provide PPE and support to the clinics, schools and vulnerable people.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Projects

When The World Health Organisation announced that COVID-19 was a global pandemic Zambia like most developing countries was ill-prepared and in rural areas clinics and health posts had no form of protection for their health workers let alone the communities.

Since 2019 The Butterfly Tree has continued its support, despite there being very few cases at present. Three clinics receive monthly supplies of PPE and medical needs, others are helped as and when funds are available.

Not every community has a health facility and in the past four years The Butterfly Tree has built health posts at Sikaunzwe and Bunsanga, and most recently at Katondo. The people in Katondo were walking 16 miles to seek medical care, which is not always possible if you have COVID-19 or malaria. This resulted in unnecessary deaths.

We have just completed the construction of an entire new health post in this remote area of the Nyawa Chiefdom. The facilities include a clinic, two staff houses, toilets, a borehole (well) and a biodigester. We have also provided office furniture, beds, screens, lockers, BP machine, wheelchairs and many more items.

We are in the process of handing it over to the Ministry of Health who will provide trained medical staff and trained community health workers will provide vital support for the outreach villages. Women will be able to access pre-natal and post-natal care and be able to deliver their babies in a much safe institutional environment. Under-five clinics for vaccinations and assessment will take place at the centre, as well as malaria testing and easier access to HIV testing and treatment will be available. In the past people died unnecessarily due to the lack of access to medical attention. In the event of a further outbreak of COVID-19 the community will have readily available medical care.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Health Projects in Zambia