HI’s response aims to contain the COVID-19 epidemic. It forms part of a joint project implemented by seven NGOs in the Impavi, Omugo and Ofua settlemenets in the districts of Terego and Madi-Okollo. Some 60,000 people have already benefited from HI’s actions.
Promoting public health measures
HI works in the field to counter the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19. It provides training and support to health staff, communities and quarantine centres to:
- Promote inclusive communication through training and sessions on translating public health messages into sign language.
- Produce six COVID-19 awareness radio programmes.
- Help two hundred health facilities, disabled people’s organisations and local communities identify and support highly vulnerable people through the pandemic, including older people and sick people.
- Implement hygiene training.
- Evaluate staffing and equipment needs in five health centres.
Ensuring equal access to essential services
HI also works to protect the most vulnerable people during the pandemic by making it easier for them to access humanitarian aid and employment schemes. In addition, the organisation helps implement protection and resilience mechanisms for people vulnerable to violence and abuse. Its actions include:
- Providing cash grants for people to access essential services: food, medicine and housing.
- Helping vulnerable people access temporary work to entitle them to food aid and promote economic growth.
- Supplying two hundred telephones to provide beneficiaries with electronic fund transfers in areas with a stable mobile network.
- Training beneficiaries in protection processes for the most vulnerable people, including a free helpline, suggestions box and report desk.
- Forming and training community boards to record and address reports of violence and abuse.
Improving health conditions
Health conditions have improved markedly in Uganda, following a steep fall in recorded Covid-19 cases. A lockdown between June and July and an ongoing curfew have led to a sharp drop in contaminations. The overall vaccination rate in Uganda remains low. Only 9 percent of people have had two doses of the vaccine, reflecting a widespread fear of its side effects.
