Our Partnership Approach to Humanitarian Aid and Development
GOAL is engaged in a multi-year partnership with Dropbox Foundation, whose guiding philosophy is to “partner with organizations that support a range of vulnerable populations by providing access to equal opportunities, basic freedoms, and fundamental necessities.” These shared values and both organizations’ record of agility, innovation and impact in their respective fields ensured continued delivery of vital services to the most vulnerable communities even through the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Investing in community transformation
In Sierra Leone, Dropbox Foundation’s support enabled GOAL to work with the Sierra Leone National Covid-19 Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC), to provide technical support to the leadership of the Risk Communication and Social Mobilization pillar (RCSM) In their rollout of the critical Community-Led Action (CLA) approach.
Additionally, it helped vulnerable communities to develop strategies and action plans to protect themselves Covid -19’s severe risk factors.
Jacquelyn Horton, Dropbox’s Social Impact, Sustainability, and ESG Manager on a visit to GOAL’s nutrition program in Ethiopia, an operational centerpiece of the partnership.
In Ethiopia, Dropbox Foundation continued to sustain the Management of At-Risk Mothers and Infants for Acute Malnutrition (MAMI) program in the Gambella region. It targets mothers and infants under six months of age and integrates community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) approaches. It’s a direct response to the high number of vulnerable mothers and infants in two camps serving South Sudanese refugees – Terkidi and Kule. In the last three years, the Foundation’s support has driven critical improvements in health and nutrition, feeding practices, and faster and more effective treatment that has helped thousands of infants and young children emerge from malnutrition.
In Uganda, GOAL’s response to the Covid-19 crisis started with the rollout of measures in our target communities aimed at preventing further spread, and supporting community-led response and action, which has been essential to the initiative’s success. Activities included empowering communities to act, supporting sub-national level taskforces working on Covid-19, and engaging radio stations to help raise awareness.
Dropbox Foundation’s support was foundational, specifically, enabling GOAL to implement the Social Mobilization Action Consortium (SMAC) approach in Agago District to strengthen community relationships; and to staunch the Home-Based Isolation and Care strategy among community health workers in Kampala City and the metropolitan area. These activities supported 16,000 people across 60 communities in Agago District and a further 1,224 health personnel in the greater Kampala area.
In Zimbabwe, Dropbox Foundation funded the creation of a colorful mural themed on social distancing, a protection measure which remains a major challenge for crowded communities. It also directly supported the dissemination of life-saving Information Education (IEC) messages via radio. A popular station, Diamond FM, replaced music and entertainment programming, connecting communities to the key leaders and implementers of the Covid-19 response.
These included Ministry of Health and Child Care and Ministry of Education officials, District Development Coordinators, health experts, health promotion officers, traditional leaders and healers, and Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection specialists were conducted through a local radio station, Diamond FM. This comprehensive public education campaign was supplemented by the Foundation’s support for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline workers.
Our commitment to empowerment
Dropbox Foundation is also committed to empowering Dropbox employees to use their skills to help the Foundation partners and the larger community.
GOAL has benefited from the talents and compassion of many Dropboxers across departments and countries. For example, the communication skills of the Dublin team have been instrumental in driving exceptional results for GOAL’s Jersey Day community fundraising campaign across Ireland.
During the Foundation’s annual ‘Hack Week,’ a time that focuses on innovation, creativity, and risk-taking, GOAL received invaluable input reminding us how simple and powerful it is to collaborate across the whole organization.
And finally, the expertise and insights that Dropbox’s HR and IT professionals have contributed to GOAL have strengthened our operations at Head Office and across the world, empowering us to reach more vulnerable communities faster and more effectively.
