Development Aid from People to People (DAPP Zimbabwe) has launched the Danish Emergency Relief Fund (DERF) supported Early Actions program. The Early Actions aim to contribute towards containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and decrease morbidity and mortality among the disadvantaged people of Makoni District in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe.
DAPP Zimbabwe has a 40 year history of running quality community-led development projects in Zimbabwe. Most of its development projects empower people with knowledge, skills and tools to improve their well-being in five thematic areas: community development, sustainable agriculture, education, health and emergencies.
The newly launched emergency project aims to reach 10 000 households at risk of contracting coronavirus with correct facts about the pandemic and how they can protect themselves from the deadly COVID-19 infection.
Presenting the project at a district sensitization meeting, Project Leader, Stailine Ruzvidzo said, “the main thrust of the project is to ensure communities and people know how to prevent getting infected by COVID-19 and how not to spread the virus to others.”
Through targeted information dissemination channels, outreach activities, screening and support for those affected the project will engage members of the community intaking part in saving lives. The intervention which is aligned with the Zimbabwe’s Humanitarian Response Plan (ZHRP) will work closely with the Makoni District Response Team and Ministry of Health and Child Care to identify those at risk and provide them with basic food assistance, COVID-19 screening as well as establish social support structures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
As part of measures to support vulnerable members of the community DAPP Zimbabwe will establish water points to ensure that there is availability of clean water to maintain good hygiene. Community members will also receive skills training on how to establish and maintain vegetable gardens to ensure sustainability of food supplies.
DAPP Zimbabwe through this project will work closely with Rusape General Hospital to strengthen the recently established Isolation centre in the district, provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for health care workers and donate a multi-purpose ambulance for patients and reaching hard to reach areas.
