Emergency Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The first case of COVID-19 in Cameroon was reported on March 6, 2020. In April, a young Cameroonian named Misra joined International Medical Corps as a Community Health Worker at Timangolo refugee camp. Her job: to raise awareness of the virus and change community behavior to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Just like the rest of the world, the local community in Timangolo has had to adapt. "Before COVID-19, the refugee community observed Fulani cultural practices, such as shaking hands during greetings, using 'boutas' kettles during daily prayers and gathering during funerals, baptisms and meals," Misra explains. "My colleagues and I worked to educate the community on handwashing with soap, social distancing, mask wearing, and coughing or sneezing into one’s elbow."

Misra feels she is making a difference. "We have noticed a change in behavior. For example, people wear masks when they go out now, and the elderly do not go out as much as before," she says. "Community members have come to understand that if the barrier measures are not respected, they can end up contracting the disease if they come into contact with a sick person. All of these things are helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Timangolo."

"I feel proud," Misra says, "because the refugee community understands that the messages we share are not intended for them to abandon what is dear to them—it is simply a means to protect them."

Misra's success is an example of how training can save lives.

International Medical Corps is carrying out COVID-19 awareness raising activities, like those in Cameroon, and more in the some 30 countries where we operate.

As of September 18, according to the Johns Hopkins University dashboard, there have been more than 30 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 946,000 deaths globally. International Medical Corps launched an immediate response to the pandemic, and have since screened more than 920,821 people for COVID-19, distributed more than 11.6 million pieces of personal protective equipment and trained more than 12,281 frontline healthcare workers on COVID-19 prevention and control measures around the world.

Thanks to the support from the GlobalGiving community, our teams can continue to work with healthcare leaders, like Misra, to fight the global COVID-19 pandemic and provide lifesaving services around the world.