06-05-2020 | di COOPI

Covid-19. In North Darfur, we sustain access to water amidst challenges

Since COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, COOPI has continued to support vulnerable people in the Republic of Sudan, a country where still today only 23% of people have access to basic hygiene services (Join Monitoring of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Report) and the implementation of basic preventive measures such as handwashing remains a challenge.

Training session

In the framework of the European Commission (ECHO, Department for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection) funded project “Emergency intervention to restore water access and foster resilience of refugees, IDPs and vulnerable host communities in North Darfur”, COOPI trained 36 water user committee members and 30 local hygiene promoters in Tofaya Village (Mellit), Damatoga-1 village (Mellit), Um Dibeba village (Al Taweisha), Um Gantora village (Al Taweisha), Um Reheed village (Um Kaddada) and Hegeer Jebeel village (Um Kaddada).

Distribution of hygiene kits

These groups are now conducting door-to-door awareness, sharing information on the virus and promoting hygiene measures at water points in the villages. The training was held following the standard operating procedures adopted by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health and Social Development. Indeed, the number of participants was fixed at 6, so that a minimum distance of 4 meters between participants could be guaranteed. Moreover, COOPI provided participants with face masks and gloves and it installed handwashing facilities at the entrance of the training’s venue.

Kit distribution

With recommendation from the State Ministry of Health and Social Development COOPI also printed and distributed over 4,500 posters with COVID-19 messages in Al Taweisha, Um Kaddada and Mellit localities to improve the understanding of the messages by local communities. In addition, upon request from the State Ministry of Health and Social Development, COOPI provided the isolation centre in Um Kaddada locality with 12 beds, 12 mattresses, 12 bedsheets kit and 12 pillows. This contribution will be fundamental in helping the government’s efforts in tracing, isolating and treating COVID-19 cases.

Concerning displaced people, COOPI is providing them with WASH non-food-items kits and Hygiene kits. Besides, COOPI continues to support and protect them from the fire attacks harnessed by Arab nomads and returnees from Chad.

Finally, due to the pandemic emergency, all activities involving the repair of water points will be delayed due to the challenges in getting supplies and industrial materials.  Movement restrictions implemented by the Government do not allow the transportation of the materials needed. Nevertheless, thanks to COOPI preparedness, WASH engineering’s team are currently using the emergency stock made available to rehabilitate the water point. This will ensure the continuity of clean water supply.