There are growing fears of the substantial human impact with the arrival of COVID-19 within particularly vulnerable populations across Africa and Asia. Refugee and displaced communities do not have the luxury of safe space, clean water, soap, or medical care should they become sick. This is where Peace Winds is assisting communities in some of the world's poorest countries, utilizing our expertise in sanitation and hygiene promotion, community education & health worker training.
Mitigation strategies that work in developed countries simply do not work in displaced communities. Social distancing is simply unrealistic for refugee families living side by side in overcrowded tents in densely populated refugee settlements. Everyone stands in line for hours to get food rations, water, and essential services. In many settings, water is simply too scarce to allow frequent hand-washing. Lockdowns/shelter-in-place orders restrict access and flow of goods to the most vulnerable.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene: Distributing basic hygiene kits which include soap, face masks, and other items; Installing hand-washing stations in refugee camps. Community Education: Hygiene promotion through constant messaging emphasizing the critical role of reducing how often we touch our faces; Messaging, via WhatsApp, facebook, or other media can emphasize what people can do to stay safe, and also dispeling rumors. Health Worker Training: Prevention & control of infection in health centers.
As of May 2020, more than 3 million people have been infected and cases continue to increase all around the world including in North America, Africa, and other Asian countries. There are growing fears of the substantial human impact with the arrival of COVID-19 within particularly vulnerable populations across Africa and Asia. Peace Winds teams are well positioned to respond to the growing threat of COVID-19 with unique expertise and experience in interventions that will save hundreds of lives!
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