02 Jun The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has launched an awareness campaign against the spread of COVID-19 in the communities (IDP) settlements in the Banadir Region, Somalia.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has launched an awareness campaign against the spread of COVID-19 in the communities particularly Internally Displaced People (IDP) settlements in the Banadir Region, Somalia.
In light of the global outbreak of COVID-19, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of Somalia (MoHADM) decided to prevent the risk of the virus to spread among the most vulnerable groups of the society.
Banadir Regional Administration (BRA) hosts the highest numbers of IDP settlements in the country, the rapidly evolving outbreak has exposed women and children from vulnerable communities, particularly those living in IDP settlements to a high risk of being affected by the spreading pandemic.
In the event of a potential spread of COVID-19 to IDP camps there is high concern that the crowded living conditions and poor access to health, water, and sanitation services can lead to high infection rates.
To contribute to the reduction and prevention of the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry with the support of UNFPA conducted various community sensitization and awareness raising activities, sharing accurate information on COVID-19 in line with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health. The activities targeted women, girls, host community children and other members from the IDP settlements. The sensitization initiatives were carried out by experienced community mobilisers and the leadership of the Ministry.
The community mobilizers through the leadership of the Ministry conducted door-to-door campaigns in the IDP settlements and surrounding communities to inform individuals on how to protect themselves from COVID-19 through proper handwashing techniques, and how to prevent its spread through social distancing. Additional educational materials were developed in Somali and were distributed to community members.
The Director General of the Ministry noted his appreciation for community’s timely participation of the sensitization and awareness initiatives. Mr. Mukhtar Sheikh Hussein Jimale promised that the Ministry will further its sensitization initiatives to the vulnerable communities so that all women and children and their parents are informed on preventative strategies of the pandemic.
The Director of MoHADM, Mr. Jimale, also commended District Commissions for their support, particularly in the IDP settlements. While overseeing one of Mobilizer’s awareness sessions, the Director encouraged all other partners in hard-hit Banadir Region to take note of the Ministry’s initiatives and to implement them in other locations within the Banadir and beyond across Somalia.
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