The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), African governments, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other UN agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have intensified efforts in the fight to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Development Diaries gathered that there was a report of 566,991 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the 16 countries covered by UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for southern Africa, showing a 30 percent increase in cases over a two-week period.
Governments across the region have continued to take precautionary measures to limit the spread of the virus, though many of the stricter measures, such as lockdowns, movement restrictions, and closure of borders, schools, and shops, have been gradually eased in recent weeks.
Therefore, as case numbers have started to rise sharply in some countries, restrictions are being re-introduced in an effort to curb the upward trend.
UNHCR and partners have committed to a ‘stay and deliver’ approach to provide critical services and assistance while adopting social distancing and other Covid-19 mitigation measures.
The measures include implementation of strict health protocols at distribution points, the use of hotlines to report protection issues and assistance needs, and support to virtual and distance learning and capacity building.
They have also expanded outreach efforts in regions with the support of partners and community volunteers to spread the message among persons of concern to help keep themselves safe from contracting the virus.
Source: CNBC Africa
Photo source: Prachatai
