The outbreak of coronavirus in Somalia poses a serious threat to already vulnerable communities.
Somalia is currently in the midst of a humanitarian crisis driven by climate change and conflict that’s put 4.2 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. If the coronavirus takes hold the effects would be devastating.
Regular droughts and nearly 30 years of conflict have made Somalia one of the most dangerous places in the world. There is limited access to food and healthcare, and millions of people have been forced to flee their homes and live in camps where conditions are poor, with no toilets, running water or access to healthcare, and no way of social distancing.
With one ICU bed per million people, in a country of over 15 million, there are fears that the health system may not cope if the number of coronavirus cases increases rapidly. As a result, we are taking all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus to the communities we serve, while ensuring the continuity of our lifesaving programmes.
Concern, as a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, is appealing for funds to help people as they face this deadly new threat.
Our teams are helping vulnerable communities in Somalia by:
- Providing health workers with World Health Organisation messaging on coronavirus, translated into local languages, so they can publicise and distribute information within communities
- Building handwashing stations in densely populated areas and health facilities, aiming to reach just shy of 60,000 people
- Distributing soap and hygiene kits to over 65,000 people
- Using local radio to broadcast ways to reduce the risk of catching and spreading Covid-19
- Supporting the payment of wages for health workers on the frontline.
We are also providing unconditional cash transfers, which means the recipient can use them for whatever they want. Ultimately, these transfers help to make sure that people’s food and other needs are met where income is low or non-existent.
We must act now to save lives and stop the spread of the disease. Your support will make this possible and can help us reach more people, sooner.
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