SOEPIC.D.E

Location: Nigeria (Ugborikoko, Warri, Delta State)

Epicskillcamp2020(covid-19 response) is an initiative of SOEPIC.D.E to combat the gross misinformation pervelant in Ugborikoko community.

This problem is made worse by infrastructural failure, in this case erratic power supply, that has cut the access to timely, credible and reliable information about the disease or proper preventive measures to take by members of the community.

Also, poverty has made it difficult for people to observe the lock down. They still trade defiling government orders in a bid to survive and not starve. And by so doing expose themselves to the risk of the disease.

Purchasing preventive kits are luxurious.

It is against this backdrop drop this initiative was birthed. Our role since inception has been to 

1. Provide timely and accurate information on the virus. etc and debugging erroneous information 

2. Inform on the various preventive measures 

3. Educated on research presently on going, clarify misconceptions on drug usage and what drug repurposing means and advise against drug abuse

4. Provide relief items (food stuff) to cushion the effect of the lock down

Our greatest achievement is the hope that is restored by the information provided. Many now understand that the virus does not mean an irrevocably death sentence. Hope is restored by the relief materials provided. People are more receptive to the government measures to slow down the spread and are willing to support them after the discussions.

Our challenge has been the insufficiency of the relief materials, funding has been difficult to access as a reason of business affected by the lock down, however the sensitization campaigns are generally impactful.

This project has been widely supported by private contributions, and voluntary donations. Our relief materials have focused on families with the elderly and children

Support Needed

Funds needed: A budget of 2.5 million Naira is proposed from this initiative which composed of making printed copies of our social media information banners available around the community, purchasing more food items, making available strategic hand washing points around the community and logistics. Presently we have focused on the social media campaign and have also welcomed food items if cash is not available... Other private sponsorships have been sought and we intend to set up a crowdfunding campaign.

Other support: Access to information, sanitizers and protective gear

For more information contact covid19@unmgcy.org