EMERGENCY APPEAL TO FIGHT COVID 19

During one of our outreach and working session, a beneficiary of our COVID Relief made this strong statement, "No die, no rest," which means in our local language that as long as you live, there will be a problem. Deepening further to the meaning of this statement, he suggests you should keep your head up and build resilience in the face of challenges and constraints. Narrowing this statement further to the COVID situation means that as long as COVID 19 remains, we must continue fighting it at all costs.

For the past six to seven months, it seems as though COVID 19 has disappeared, but in reality, it is still around. People are still getting sick and dying from this deadly disease, and some people continue to live in denial, pretending that there is nothing like COVID. They perpetuate conspiracy theory that discourages others from being vaccinated.
During the period under review, we carried awareness massively in 86 communities, informing villagers to continue wearing their masks, thoroughly wash their hands and observe the distance, especially people who are not vaccinated. We told them that the COVID 19 was still around and killing people. Out of our outreach and awareness session, 1,200 received our messages regarding COVID 19 and its conspiracy theories that discourage people from taking their vaccines. As a result of our awareness, 250 people were vaccinated. Additionally, over 500 more have agreed to do their vaccines whenever available.

Also, during the period under review, our COVID 19 emergency response team distributed 500 packages of food to vulnerable groups, including the blind, deaf, those with disabilities, and the homeless and vulnerable youths. It is no secret that COVID 19 has dramatically affected the world economy and shattered families. Many are still struggling to settle in their homes even though the COVID 19 pandemic is gradually slowing down.

In the word of one of our partners, "We're glad that we can help vulnerable population settle back into their communities and to have a start-up mean for their families. The consequences of the pandemic require that those who have means of helping to double up their effort and join forces to bring this common enemy to closure and help people return to normalcy" (Julie).

We want to use this medium to thank everyone who contributed to our COVID 19 relief fund, which increased our awareness by reaching out to 86 communities, serving 1,200 people, shifting the mindset of 250 people to take vaccines, and distributing over 500 packages of food to the vulnerable population. Without your contribution, we would never achieve what we achieved. Thank you so much!

"If we all abide by the health regulations and advise, we stand very strong in defeating COVID 19 from our community - this must be a collective effort that requires no exemption. You either be for or against" - Moses- One of our influential community leaders made this statement during an outdoor awareness.

During the period under review, we conducted massive awareness about the unweaving surge of COVID 19 in many parts of our region. The awareness was focused on the outbreak and rapid spread of the Omicron Variant. We encouraged community members to continue wearing their masks, wash their hands regularly and adequately, avoid crowded places, stay isolated when sick, and report strange cases to health officials. We went deep down to some of the most unreachable communities where a vehicle cannot reach. Our awareness also emphasized the need for people to take the COVID 19 vaccines. Our team encouraged community dwellers to muster the courage for the vaccines, which is the only safer way of protecting themselves.

Approximately 500 community members participated in our community outreach during the period under review. Most of them promised to take the message to their local communities and educate families and friends on the danger of COVID 19 and how to protect themselves. As a result of our intervention, many community members have begun washing hands, avoiding touching, and promised to do their vaccines whenever it is available.

"We were told that the COVID 19 Vaccines can kill that when a man takes the vaccines, he will not function any longer and that when a woman takes the vaccines, she will not bear children any longer and that when children take the vaccines, their brain will get damaged. Today we are happy that you people came to talk to us and tell us the real truth. Now we know that all the things people have been saying about vaccines are false and misleading. Thank you, people, for these messages" Kubo. A local leader was making these strong revelations regarding the myth of the COVID vaccines. We disproved some of the myths during the period under review, as you heard it. Community people have promised to practice all safety measures and take their vaccines.

Sharing these shacking stories in a zoom meeting with some of our partners, one of them said, "What a shocking moment to hear that people continue in denial of this dangerous infectious disease. I am so grateful that our donation to Camp for Peace Liberia is shifting the tale positively in that part of the world" Valerie.