The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $5 million to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), International Rescue Committee (IRC), International Medical Corps (IMC), the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) and Médecins d’Afrique (MDA) that have been implementing life-saving programmes in the centre, east and north of the Central African Republic.
Development Diaries understands that the funding is part of a global CERF envelope of $25 million intended for NGOs working on the front line and implementing life-saving activities in the health and WASH sectors, with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) serving as the grant manager.
It was gathered that the allocation received will help provide assistance to 220,000 vulnerable people, including 87,000 displaced persons living in dire sanitary conditions conducive to spreading Covid-19.
The funds will enable the construction, rehabilitation and equipment of 19 isolation and treatment centres for Covid-19 patients while improving surveillance mechanisms.
Also, medical staff will be recruited, medicines and supplies purchased in addition to psychosocial support.
The Head of OCHA in the Central African Republic, François Batalingaya, said, ‘The choice to fund these NGOs illustrates the need for innovation and pragmatism because these organisations are already on the front line and can scale up their response in record time’.
It is understood that CERF funds are reserved for United Nations agencies, which can then partner with NGOs. But Covid-19 serves once again as a reminder of the need to constantly adapt the humanitarian response to the changing context to make the best use of limited resources.
Source: Africa News
Photo source: Euro News
