COVID-19

GOAL's response in East Africa

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, GOAL has reached over half a million people with messaging around hygiene and how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our team there is also supporting Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems in high risk communities and health centers. We are distributing water barrels and hygiene essentials to refugee camps in Afar in the northeast.

South Sudan

South Sudan is one of the most vulnerable countries in Africa, with very weak health systems. GOAL is distributing COVID-19 messaging across local and national radio. These messages have reached over 13,000 people. GOAL has been working with 71 health centers to implement infectious control procedures, which will benefit over 1.1 million people.

Sudan

In Sudan, we are working with the National Government to distribute information and training materials to more rural parts of the country. We are supporting WASH and infectious control activities across the country. So far, GOAL has ensured that 40 Health Care facilities have had capacity increased to implement infection control procedures to benefit 340,125 people.

Uganda

In Uganda, GOAL has been disseminating COVID-19 prevention awareness via radio as well as conducting good hygiene demonstrations at local level. These activities have reached over 100,000 people.

GOAL's response in West Africa

Niger

In Niger, GOAL is working with community health workers, youth associations, and public town criers using a PA system on messaging. GOAL teams have also started Community-led Action (CLA) training in over 70 villages in the Zinder and Tillabery regions.

Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, we are procuring a variety of health and hygiene products for distribution in various parts of the country. In Freetown, we have set up screening stations in health units and supplied hand-washing stations, hand sanitizers, soap, and protective equipment through the support of Irish Aid, START Fund, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

GOAL Sierra Leone is also training healthcare workers, distributing information materials, producing radio information campaigns, and working with cross-border communities to prevent transmission of the disease.

GOAL's response in Southern Africa

Malawi

In Malawi, we have been implementing COVID-19 response activity across the country, working closely with government and other humanitarian actors engaged in the response. We have procured a range of protective materials, together with key sanitation items, and distributed these to health facilities and targeted households/communities.   

GOAL has supported the Magoti Mothers’ group in Nsanje District in southern Malawi to expand its sewing circle to start making reusable health masks. The group – which currently sews reusable sanitary pads for disadvantaged teenage girls – plan to make 700 masks, 300 which will be purchased by GOAL. This enterprise will be an extra income stream for the women who are struggling to make ends meet.

Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, GOAL has used national radio stations to provide health and awareness information to over 4.5 million people across the country. GOAL has also reached more than 610,000 people with key COVID-19 messaging using mobile road units in Harare, Chipinge, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, and Mutare. In addition, GOAL has reached over 100,000 people with a local awareness poster campaign.

GOAL's response in the Middle East

Iraq

In Iraq, GOAL has responded in refugee camps providing latrines and hand-washing and personal hygiene items. In addition, we have provided hygiene items, including soap, to more than 8,000 households. We have supported the dissemination of COVID-19 awareness and prevention information to 10,281 people and provided 1,700 people with access to clean, safe water.

Syria

In Syria, 199,000 people have been reached with COVID-19 awareness and prevention information and distribution of hygiene kits. GOAL is also working with communities to enable the implementation of Social Behavior Change interventions; strengthening of community referral systems; and facilitation of Community-led Action (CLA) processes. We have adapted the WASH campaign to ensure continuation of water supply to those in Northwest Syria.

Turkey

GOAL has carried out a survey of refugees in Turkey to better adapt our response to their specific needs. The results show many refugees are not getting the correct information due to language barriers and remote locations. GOAL has been working with these communities to best prepare them with the correct information. So far, our awareness campaign has reached 1,926 people.

GOAL's response in Latin America

Haiti

In Haiti, GOAL has been training community leaders in Port-au-Prince in Community-led Action procedures. These include how to properly use personal protection equipment (PPE).

Honduras

In Honduras, GOAL is working with government and local authorities on door-to-door awareness campaigns. In La Mosquita region, GOAL has reached 36,000 people via Whatsapp. GOAL is helping local health facilities to coordinate with referral hospitals through data packages and/or online platforms.