COVID-19 Response Program

Location: Bangladesh (Chattogram and Cox's Bazar)

Problem Statement

The COVID-19 pandemic is first and foremost a health crisis. Every day in world more than thousand lives are being lost. The pandemic was confirmed to have spread to Bangladesh in March 2020.. This incident has been increasing geometrically and the situation is worsening day by day. To prevent the spread of Corona Virus government has already declared to shut down all educational institutions, offices and public transports in across the country. Government has postponed all national events, banned all types of mass gatherings and restricted people to stay at home and suggesting to maintain social distancing including daily hygiene practices.

In this current situation in Bangladesh, the low-income and disadvantage people faces the frightful prospect of not being able to afford their day to day livelihood needs. They lost their work/jobs and earnings. They are starving because they do not have money to buy their daily foods. In this circumstance, as a NGO YPSA plans to respond to COVID-19 and stand beside the vulnerable people as well as to prevent the pandemic.

Challenges:

The situation may be more deteriorating in coming days and holistic responses are essential to face this crisis. Government, NGO’s, private and local people are responding to this crisis as they are standing beside the crisis to provides relief, hygiene materials, cash support and knowledge dissemination. But the amount is insufficient. There is chance of rising social unrest if entitlement of food and household essentials is not ensured.

Achievement:

• Development of different BCC materials [print copy, soft copy, accessible materials (DAISY & EPUB book) for person with visual and print disabilities] as per WHO and IEDCR guidelines and distribution as well.

• Distributed 20,000 leaflets and stickers with the messages of COVID-19.

• Awareness campaign among the staffs and program participants through PVC board, leaflet distribution, social media campaign, distribution regular program broadcasting by Radio Sagor Giri FM99.2 (YPSA Community Radio) and Radio Dwip (YPSA’s Internet Radio) etc.

• Distributed health hygiene kits as Hand gloves, Mask and Haxisol among the Community Volunteers.

• Distributed around 4000 food packages to extreme poor, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

• Orientation to 1320 Students at 14 Schools in the host community on COVID-19 response issues.
  

Involvement:

• Formed COVID-19 emergency response team including regional sub-team.

• YPSA staffs, group member and volunteer are involved of this interventions.
  

Partners: Local CSO/CBO, Volunteers, Private agency, International donor and Bangladesh Government

Scope of Work: YPSA wants to continue the following efforts

• Continue awareness campaign among the staffs and program participants including social media campaign

• Continue broadcasting special program by Radio Sagor Giri FM99.2 and Radio Dwip (YPSA’s Internet Radio)

• Distribute all together 100,000 food packages to extreme poor, PwDs, ship breaking workers, slum dwellers, low profile migrant family and other marginalized people

• Continue distribution of hygiene kits

• Emergency response program for COVID-19 affected communities

• Continue distribution of PPE to Physicians and health workers and field workers

• Regular coordination with the relevant government departments and following government instructions in relation to the COVID-19

• Keep regular contact with the respective partners/ donors and related stakeholders for the emergency response project for COVID-19 crisis

Support

YPSA believes that if vulnerable people have food in their house as well as hygiene materials then they can stay at home for a period of time and can prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Alike, the necessary cash to support vulnerable families can help them mitigate economic losses and buy necessary things for a while. Moreover, they need to be aware to prevent themselves from being infected by the Corona virus. Considering these facts, YPSA proposing following emergency response support to the targeted population in Chattogram and Cox’sBazar.

YPSA calculated a budget of 30,50,000 BDT (US$ 36057.22) for the proposed activities. We plan to service directly 270 families (1350 persons) and indirectly more than 10,000 people (appr.) which will be selected on a priority basis. YPSA will be prioritizing marginalized people, women lead families, widows, people with disabilities, elderly people, fisher folk communities, ethnic people and COVID19 affected poor people. As well as coordinate with government and local organizations to reduce duplications.

In regards of fund raising we are exploring the opportunity in different sources as international donor agencies, private agencies and government. We already submitted different proposals to donors and are awaiting.

Other needs: Volunteers, Access to information, Space for online convenings (e.g. GoToMeeting), Helpful Management, Access in Government and Community

See more:

http://ypsa.org/2020/03/ypsa-initiatives-to-the-response-to-covid-19-in-greater-chattogram-bangladesh
https://web.facebook.com/YPSAbd/
https://www.facebook.com/SagorGiriFm992/videos/

For more information, contact covid19@unmgcy.org