Eva Nyambura
An International nongovernmental organisation (NGO) Search For Common Good with the support of EU, has launched a new approach in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project dubbed, Pamoja Dhidi ya Corona – Working Together Against Corona, will run for 15 months and will help marginalised communities in Kenya to fully implement their Governments’ COVID-19 response measures by providing accurate and trustworthy Government information.
At the same time, the initiative will make sure that these communities’ voices are heard by the authorities in a two-way process, through dialogues and feedback mechanisms leading to more effective COVID-19 prevention and management measures.
The initiative comes at a time when coronavirus patients in Kenya have crossed the 19000 mark with close to 300,000 tests carried out.
In order to counteract these effects, the initiative will create an early warning platform, provide training and coaching for media moderators, launch COVID-19 TV spots and radio programmes and an arts and culture competition, amongst other measures.
Speaking during the launch held at Park Inn Hotel, Nairobi, EU Ambassador for Kenya Simon Mordue said: “This initiative is essentially about strengthening the connections between Kenyan citizens in marginalised communities and the rest of society, as well as the Government, and about preserving and strengthening the social contract during the pandemic”.
He added that the initiative is part of a global Team Europe –the EU and the Member States – response to COVID-19: “Team Europe is providing close to Ksh40 billion in support to Kenya during the pandemic through a broad range of measures, and our solidarity will continue beyond the immediate health crisis.”
EU Ambassador to Kenya, Simon Mordue speaking at the launch. [Courtesy]Search For Common Ground’s Swahili Coast Director, Judy Kimamo, corroborated the Ambassador’s views stressing that the initiative aims to have everyone on board in the fight against COVID-19 by building partnerships between all stakeholders.
“Everyone wants to be safe from the virus but measures to address the pandemic haven’t always considered different needs and perspectives, leading to resistance and instances of violence. With this project, we will amplify the voices of communities and make sure everyone, including young people, women, and people living in informal settlements and marginalised areas can understand the best way to stay safe,” Kimamo said.
Other features of the initiative are a social cohesion and human rights social media campaign, involving locally-adapted messages, skits, and short personal videos, as well as 32 COVID-19 specific Community Governance Dialogue Forums which will be held monthly in the informal settlements of Mathare and Kibera in Nairobi, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Garissa counties.
This work forms part of a global initiative by the EU and Search For Common Ground which will include similar actions in Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria.
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