Transaid looks back on 2021
Transaid has continued to deliver impactful programmes in access to healthcare and road safety over the past year and, despite the challenging economic climate, we have also incorporated a successful COVID-19 strategy and response into several of our programmes. This is testament to the commitment and adaptability of our partners, consultants, and the organisations and governments that we work with on a daily basis.
Fundraising highlights
Our fundraising team has had a busy year, working to increase awareness of our work and raise vital funds. In September, thirty Transaid riders returned to the road for our ‘Way of the Roses’ cycle challenge, recruitment has continued for the 2022 cycle Malawi challenge, and we cheered on Transaid participants in various marathons and individual challenges. From intrepid cyclists, to invaluable corporate supporters, Transaid is so grateful to all of the people who are helping it to make a tangible difference in sub-Saharan Africa.
Programme highlights – Road safety
Transaid’s driver training programmes in Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda have continued at pace and 2021 saw the launch of a new three-year driver training programme in Ghana. Transaid is working with government departments to advocate for investment in driver training and the project will incorporate both the training of drivers as well as trainers. Working closely with government agencies, we have collaboratively developed a HGV driver training curriculum and training manual. We are grateful for the support provided by the Puma Energy Foundation.
In November, we also announced the expansion of our road safety programmes into Mozambique, with support from the German International Cooperation Organisation (Deutsche GIZ).
Earlier this year in Zambia, Transaid worked with People that Deliver and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Foundation to strengthen the country’s supply chain through to the last mile and build resilience in the transport sector. This included developing a module on communicable disease prevention and training colleagues working at the central media stores and provincial hubs.
In the country’s capital, Lusaka, Transaid is also working with Integrated Transport Planning, Development Data, the World Bank and the FIA Foundation on research into how to improve the city’s public transport system and ensure it can best benefit all transport users. Through our work with local stakeholders, we are developing an understanding of last mile connectivity, the issues involved and developing a road map for improved journeys into and within the city.
In June this year, Transaid launched a Kenya National Helmet Coalition, working with the FIA Foundation, to develop a national network of key stakeholders to improve safety and reduce injuries and fatalities. This major initiative forms part of the FIA’s Safe & Affordable Helmet Programme, with on-going support and development provided by the FIA Foundation. With motorcycle taxis being such a popular mode of transport, there is an urgent need for this coalition.
Programme highlights – Healthcare
Transaid’s access to healthcare initiatives continue at pace and have never been more necessary as many of the public health gains that have been achieved in the last decade have been lost due to COVID-19.
We have been working in Uganda for almost a decade and recently signed an agreement with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and the Uganda National Health Laboratory Services (UNHLS), to provide access to fast, quality COVID-19 screening for truck drivers at the country’s border crossings. The programme aims to help reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19 and lessen the economic burden on transport companies by offering rapid antigen testing for drivers.
Since the scale-up of our MAMaZ Against Malaria (MAM) programme in 2018, we have been working around the clock to train community-based volunteers, set up emergency transport systems and tried to ensure that medicines are available when they are critically needed. MAM@Scale is implemented by a group of partners comprising Development Data, DAI Global Health, Disacare, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Transaid, all working with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and the District Health Management Team in Zambia. The consortium secured valuable funding from Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) and the Government of Canada to enable the scale up of the highly successful MAM pilot project.
As a result of the programme, we have now reached nearly one million people with our severe malaria and COVID-19 response, and between April 2020 and March 2021, our Emergency Transport Systems had transported over 12,000 pregnant women and children to healthcare facilities in Zambia and Madagascar.
Transaid has been working on a new research project in East Africa funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to investigate the impact of High Volume Transport (HVT) corridors on social inclusion, as well as the potential solutions for identifying and preventing human trafficking. The research is being managed by IMC Worldwide and implemented by a consortium led by Cardno Emerging Markets, which includes Transaid, North Star Alliance and Scriptoria. The research, which focuses on Uganda and Tanzania, began in July 2020 and data collection took place over the period January to August 2021.
Under the Global Challenges Research Fund, also funded by the FCDO, Transaid has been working with the University of Durham and other partners to investigate youth engagement and skills acquisition within Africa’s transport sector. The aim of this project is to address the specific challenges of Africa’s highly gendered transport environment, with a view to encouraging Africa’s young women into the labour force, transitioning them to meaningful employment and promoting a greater gender balance.
Our approaches as an international development organisation are evidence based, simple and sustainable and most importantly, they save lives. They are only possible thanks to the generosity of the transport and logistics industry. Despite COVID-19, Transaid is still growing in scale and impact and the team is looking forward with confidence and hope for all that next year will bring to further enhance our lifesaving road safety and access to healthcare programmes in sub-Saharan Africa.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and making these achievements possible. Transaid wishes you a wonderful festive break for those celebrating and the team look forward to sharing more updates with you in 2022, as we continue to transform lives through safe, available and sustainable transport.