Covid-19 Rapid Response in Uganda and Sierra Leone
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Emergency response to COVID-19 in Uganda and Sierra Leone
WHAT IS THIS CROWDFUNDING ABOUT?
Corona hits us all - but it hits the poorest the most. Especially in countries of the Global South, the pandemic will likely have devastating effects. We, Global Solidarity Network, want to support our partners KIDA in Uganda and SEND in Sierra Leone, who want to sensitise vulnerable communities on COVID-19 and its preventive measures. In addition to raising awareness, KIDA also wants to support the most vulnerable groups of Ugandan society by providing food items.
Even though 6500 kilometers lie between Sierra Leone and Uganda, the two countries have some things in common: an underfunded, weak health care system and a high rate of people in precarious employment. Many people are engaged in informal jobs for daily survival and cannot afford to have savings to support themselves during lockdown measures.
In Uganda and Sierra Leone, many people soon will be left without means to access the very basic needs for survival because of the pandemic and the current restrictions of transport and movement.
Situation in Uganda
The Ugandan government enacted a nationwide lockdown starting from 31 March. Millions of people in towns, cities and villages across the country have no means or even hope of getting to work and earning their salary. At the same time, prices for food are rising on a daily basis. Just imagine: in mid March you could get one kilogram of corn for only 0,60€, but by the end of March it already cost 0,85€ - this is an increase of more than 40%.
Furthermore, remote communities often lack the opportunity to receive information. But without knowing what the virus is about, it is difficult to understand how to face it. At the same time, infectious diseases like HIV and Tuberculosis as well as malnutrition make communities specifically vulnerable - even though the population is very young. However, most people cannot rely on the public health system.
Situation in Sierra Leone
In response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in neighbouring countries Liberia and Guinea, the government of Sierra Leone has announced a state of public health emergency and thus closed all air, land and sea borders, closed schools and restricted movement within the country. The recently confirmed first two cases (as of April 4th) in Sierra Leone have led to the announcement of an emergency three-days lockdown, starting from April 5th. This will probably be followed by other restrictive measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
WHAT ARE OUR GOALS?
In Uganda, KIDA wants to provide emergency relief to 500 households in Mukono district, of which the majority (300) are child-headed households, 130 are female-headed households and 70 households are headed by eldery. These households currently have no income and do not have savings to buy needed supplies during the lockdown.
This means KIDA:
- Will distribute essential supplies such as food, soap and sanitizers to bridge the time of the lockdown (30 days)
- Will establish and train a network of local multipliers (1 to 2 persons per village). These will be our COVID-19 champions and will help to sensitize households on how to keep hygiene and also report suspected cases of the virus to the health department. The network will be run by ten members of KIDA’s staff and volunteers around the entire town council. We will make sure to adhere to the recommendations of the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization who are providing knowledge on the virus and safe strategies to reach people.
- Will support the spread of information by printing and distributing flyers and posters with information on COVID-19 in locally understood languages, for example Luganda and English.
In Sierra Leone, SEND intends to intervene in the Kenema and Kailahun districts that border Guinea and Liberia in order to contribute to preventing the virus from spreading and to create awareness among communities on the virus in order to protect themselves.
This means SEND:
- Will provide the following to support local authorities in creation, procurement and use of information, education and communications (IEC) materials: Production of posters/illustrated books with text
Megaphones for announcements
- integrate Covid-19 activities into ongoing activities such as awareness raising for Covid-19 in communities and IEC materials distribution in communities
- Will provide handwashing materials in public places in the 20 communities in Kailahun and Kenema District (buckets, soap, hand sanitizer)
SEND has already started to distribute food items to people with disablities in Kenema.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM OUR CROWDFUNDING?
In Uganda: Around 3000 people living in 500 households, each household serving an average of 6 persons. Many are earning their day to day income by selling products on the road side - and now lost their source of income. We will focus on targeting vulnerable families in communities KIDA has been working in before, such as female-headed households with children below the age of 18, child-headed families and people with disabilities who have already been struggling even under the normal circumstances.
In Sierra Leone: Around 1000 people in 50 communities. SEND–SL will give special attention to female-headed households with children below the age of 18 years and people with disabilities who have already been struggling with underlying health issues.
SEND has started distributing food items to people living with disabilities in Kenema District on 04.04.2020.
Both organizations are working with community leaders to identify vulnerable households.
WHAT WILL THESE ACTIVITIES COST?
Both projects in Sierra Leone as well as in Uganda will approximately cost around 25.000€. That is why both organisations are applying for funding from bigger NGOs as well. We are raising 10,000.00 Euro to support the projects and start the assistance as soon as possible.
Showing solidarity among each other, KIDA and SEND decided to share the donations collected through crowdfunding equally among the two projects. You can find the more detailed budgets below.
With a donation of 50€ KIDA is able to supply one family with food and hygiene products for 30 days.
With a donation of 75€ SEND can cover the costs of a radio session to raise awareness and spread news on covid-19 and preventive measures on district level. In Sierra Leone 8 out of 10 people rely on the radio as the primary source of information and listen to it daily.
WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT US?
Like in most countries of the global South, in Uganda and Sierra Leone there are no aid programs for companies, shops or street sellers that have lost their jobs. International aid organizations are trying their best to intervene wherever they can - but this takes time. However, every day counts: if we intervene now by spreading information and helping families bridge this difficult time of the lockdown we can mitigate the crisis.
KIDA in Uganda and SEND in Sierra Leone have been working with the communities for a long time - they are experienced in the field and know exactly what is needed at the moment. Your donation will help local organizations to react to this crisis and will 100% benefit the communities!
We appreciate your donation and will keep you updated on the activities in Uganda and Sierra Leone.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUPPORTING KIDA AND SEND!!
WHO ARE WE?
We are Global Solidarity Network (GSN), a grass-roots organization that aims to change the way development cooperation works. So far, our network consists of members from Uganda, India, Sierra Leone and Germany.
We are tired of big organizations from the Global North making decisions for the Global South. We believe in local activists and their power to bring about social change in their communities. That’s why we are connecting changemakers so they can bundle their forces and find a voice on the global stage.
In this situation of unprecedented global emergency, we try to mitigate the effects of the unfolding crisis by raising funds for our local NGOs members’ emergency measures.
Our members in Uganda are part of KIDA (Katosi Intercommunity Development Alliance), a registered NGO in Mukono, Uganda. They are experienced professionals who are mindful about the people they serve. KIDA takes a community-driven approach to develop programs necessary to a healthy, self-sufficient community; early education, vocational training, basic healthcare and sustainable livelihoods.
Social Enterprise Development (SEND) Sierra Leone is a non-profit national non-governmental organization registered in Sierra Leone with a vision of contributing to a Sierra Leone where people’s rights and well-being are guaranteed. SEND is established in West Africa with headquarters in Ghana and operational offices in Liberia and Sierra Leone. SEND Sierra Leone operations are based in the Eastern Region, Western Area and Bonthe Districts, implementing numerous projects related to women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, nutrition and health, livelihood and WASH with funds from its donor partners.
*** The values that we all believe in are global solidarity, true partnership and trust! That’s why we want to act right now - solidarity works beyond borders and continents! Together we can do this! ****
DETAILED BUDGETS
Budget for Activities of KIDA in Uganda
Budget for Activities of SEND in Sierra Leone
WHAT IS THIS CROWDFUNDING ABOUT?
Corona hits us all - but it hits the poorest the most. Especially in countries of the Global South, the pandemic will likely have devastating effects. We, Global Solidarity Network, want to support our partners KIDA in Uganda and SEND in Sierra Leone, who want to sensitise vulnerable communities on COVID-19 and its preventive measures. In addition to raising awareness, KIDA also wants to support the most vulnerable groups of Ugandan society by providing food items.
Even though 6500 kilometers lie between Sierra Leone and Uganda, the two countries have some things in common: an underfunded, weak health care system and a high rate of people in precarious employment. Many people are engaged in informal jobs for daily survival and cannot afford to have savings to support themselves during lockdown measures.
In Uganda and Sierra Leone, many people soon will be left without means to access the very basic needs for survival because of the pandemic and the current restrictions of transport and movement.
Situation in Uganda
The Ugandan government enacted a nationwide lockdown starting from 31 March. Millions of people in towns, cities and villages across the country have no means or even hope of getting to work and earning their salary. At the same time, prices for food are rising on a daily basis. Just imagine: in mid March you could get one kilogram of corn for only 0,60€, but by the end of March it already cost 0,85€ - this is an increase of more than 40%.
Furthermore, remote communities often lack the opportunity to receive information. But without knowing what the virus is about, it is difficult to understand how to face it. At the same time, infectious diseases like HIV and Tuberculosis as well as malnutrition make communities specifically vulnerable - even though the population is very young. However, most people cannot rely on the public health system.
Situation in Sierra Leone
In response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in neighbouring countries Liberia and Guinea, the government of Sierra Leone has announced a state of public health emergency and thus closed all air, land and sea borders, closed schools and restricted movement within the country. The recently confirmed first two cases (as of April 4th) in Sierra Leone have led to the announcement of an emergency three-days lockdown, starting from April 5th. This will probably be followed by other restrictive measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
WHAT ARE OUR GOALS?
In Uganda, KIDA wants to provide emergency relief to 500 households in Mukono district, of which the majority (300) are child-headed households, 130 are female-headed households and 70 households are headed by eldery. These households currently have no income and do not have savings to buy needed supplies during the lockdown.
This means KIDA:
- Will distribute essential supplies such as food, soap and sanitizers to bridge the time of the lockdown (30 days)
- Will establish and train a network of local multipliers (1 to 2 persons per village). These will be our COVID-19 champions and will help to sensitize households on how to keep hygiene and also report suspected cases of the virus to the health department. The network will be run by ten members of KIDA’s staff and volunteers around the entire town council. We will make sure to adhere to the recommendations of the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization who are providing knowledge on the virus and safe strategies to reach people.
- Will support the spread of information by printing and distributing flyers and posters with information on COVID-19 in locally understood languages, for example Luganda and English.
In Sierra Leone, SEND intends to intervene in the Kenema and Kailahun districts that border Guinea and Liberia in order to contribute to preventing the virus from spreading and to create awareness among communities on the virus in order to protect themselves.
This means SEND:
- Will provide the following to support local authorities in creation, procurement and use of information, education and communications (IEC) materials: Production of posters/illustrated books with text
Megaphones for announcements
- integrate Covid-19 activities into ongoing activities such as awareness raising for Covid-19 in communities and IEC materials distribution in communities
- Will provide handwashing materials in public places in the 20 communities in Kailahun and Kenema District (buckets, soap, hand sanitizer)
SEND has already started to distribute food items to people with disablities in Kenema.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM OUR CROWDFUNDING?
In Uganda: Around 3000 people living in 500 households, each household serving an average of 6 persons. Many are earning their day to day income by selling products on the road side - and now lost their source of income. We will focus on targeting vulnerable families in communities KIDA has been working in before, such as female-headed households with children below the age of 18, child-headed families and people with disabilities who have already been struggling even under the normal circumstances.
In Sierra Leone: Around 1000 people in 50 communities. SEND–SL will give special attention to female-headed households with children below the age of 18 years and people with disabilities who have already been struggling with underlying health issues.
SEND has started distributing food items to people living with disabilities in Kenema District on 04.04.2020.
Both organizations are working with community leaders to identify vulnerable households.
WHAT WILL THESE ACTIVITIES COST?
Both projects in Sierra Leone as well as in Uganda will approximately cost around 25.000€. That is why both organisations are applying for funding from bigger NGOs as well. We are raising 10,000.00 Euro to support the projects and start the assistance as soon as possible.
Showing solidarity among each other, KIDA and SEND decided to share the donations collected through crowdfunding equally among the two projects. You can find the more detailed budgets below.
With a donation of 50€ KIDA is able to supply one family with food and hygiene products for 30 days.
With a donation of 75€ SEND can cover the costs of a radio session to raise awareness and spread news on covid-19 and preventive measures on district level. In Sierra Leone 8 out of 10 people rely on the radio as the primary source of information and listen to it daily.
WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT US?
Like in most countries of the global South, in Uganda and Sierra Leone there are no aid programs for companies, shops or street sellers that have lost their jobs. International aid organizations are trying their best to intervene wherever they can - but this takes time. However, every day counts: if we intervene now by spreading information and helping families bridge this difficult time of the lockdown we can mitigate the crisis.
KIDA in Uganda and SEND in Sierra Leone have been working with the communities for a long time - they are experienced in the field and know exactly what is needed at the moment. Your donation will help local organizations to react to this crisis and will 100% benefit the communities!
We appreciate your donation and will keep you updated on the activities in Uganda and Sierra Leone.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUPPORTING KIDA AND SEND!!
WHO ARE WE?
We are Global Solidarity Network (GSN), a grass-roots organization that aims to change the way development cooperation works. So far, our network consists of members from Uganda, India, Sierra Leone and Germany.
We are tired of big organizations from the Global North making decisions for the Global South. We believe in local activists and their power to bring about social change in their communities. That’s why we are connecting changemakers so they can bundle their forces and find a voice on the global stage.
In this situation of unprecedented global emergency, we try to mitigate the effects of the unfolding crisis by raising funds for our local NGOs members’ emergency measures.
Our members in Uganda are part of KIDA (Katosi Intercommunity Development Alliance), a registered NGO in Mukono, Uganda. They are experienced professionals who are mindful about the people they serve. KIDA takes a community-driven approach to develop programs necessary to a healthy, self-sufficient community; early education, vocational training, basic healthcare and sustainable livelihoods.
Social Enterprise Development (SEND) Sierra Leone is a non-profit national non-governmental organization registered in Sierra Leone with a vision of contributing to a Sierra Leone where people’s rights and well-being are guaranteed. SEND is established in West Africa with headquarters in Ghana and operational offices in Liberia and Sierra Leone. SEND Sierra Leone operations are based in the Eastern Region, Western Area and Bonthe Districts, implementing numerous projects related to women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, nutrition and health, livelihood and WASH with funds from its donor partners.
*** The values that we all believe in are global solidarity, true partnership and trust! That’s why we want to act right now - solidarity works beyond borders and continents! Together we can do this! ****
DETAILED BUDGETS
Budget for Activities of KIDA in Uganda
Budget for Activities of SEND in Sierra Leone
Fundraising team: Global Solidarity Network (3)
Eva Me
Organizer
Berlin
Fiona Hahn
Team member
Fabian Mehl
Team member
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