New funding secured for COVID-19 response in Zambia
We are helping some 200,000 rural Zambians to prepare for global pandemic COVID-19, by strengthening and adapting community systems already in place through the MAMaZ against Malaria at Scale (MAM@Scale) programme, using new funding from international philanthropy, the FIA Foundation.
The Transaid team has been working to ensure communities in rural Zambia have critical information about COVID-19, including details on how to protect themselves, supported by rapid funding from the FIA Foundation totalling €150,000 to have an immediate impact on the ground.
Along with our partners, we have acted fast to expand the remit of our life-saving MAM@Scale programme. Originally established using community health volunteers, bicycle ambulances and volunteer riders to support patients with suspected severe malaria in reaching a health facility – the programme will now integrate COVID-19 messaging and interventions in a bid to prevent the rapid spread of the disease.
Caroline Barber, Transaid CEO, said: “We have been engaged at the highest levels in-country to support preparations being made on the ground. The spread of the disease in Zambia is several weeks behind Europe and North America, meaning every second counts. The more we can do now, the more lives we can save.”
Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of the FIA Foundation, said: “Transaid and its partners have built a community health network which has had a huge impact on malaria health outcomes, through education and treatment outreach, with a direct application for the new global health challenge of COVID-19. The FIA Foundation is proud to support the nimble adaption of the existing network to reach many of the most remote communities in Zambia to save lives.”
Our work has involved developing hygiene and social distancing posters in English and local languages, plus the use of community radio. Together with our partners in the MAM@ Scale programme, we have also been contributing heavily to the Community Health Worker National Guidelines and supporting the district health teams in giving educational talks in local communities on prevention and response. We have also been helping to build resilience by stocking up food banks in 180 communities for the most vulnerable.
Other initiatives have included the procurement of cloth masks, disposable gloves and soap to protect community health volunteers and bicycle ambulance riders, together with the installation of ‘tippy-tap’ systems to provide hand-washing facilities in 180 communities. New safety protocols which include guidance on personal safety have also been rolled out to the volunteer riders.
Commenting on next steps, Barber added: “We are currently working at full steam both in the UK and on the ground in Africa. The whole team is highly motivated to ensure we can make a real difference, including sharing this approach, materials and learning with other countries.
“We have lots more activities planned for the coming weeks and we are hugely thankful to the FIA Foundation for reacting so quickly and enabling us to get to work straight away.
“Their support will help ensure that vital services and medicines won’t stop reaching the children who need them most; we are absolutely committed to ensuring we do not lose ground in the fight against malaria.”
Help us combat COVID-19 in Zambia
In times like this, access to healthcare is more important than ever. That is why we’re asking for your help to ensure that no one gets left behind in the fight against COVID-19.
Our supporters were instrumental to the success of MAM, helping us expand into our fifth Zambian District. Now we are asking for your help to rise to the new challenge of COVID-19. Communities like Chola’s are likely to be amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic. Help them prepare for COVID-19 by donating here.