AREA OF EXPERTISE
Multisectoral
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Multisectoral
FUNDING
Handwashing kits distribution to the street committees, Ouango, Bangui. February 3, 2021, ©TGH
In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, this project, carried out in consortium with the international NGOs Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Oxfam, Concern Worldwide and International Medical Corps (IMC), is participating to the containment of COVID-19 and to the relief of the Central African health system. To this end, the project's main objective is to build the capacity of the central African health system to detect, report and manage COVID-19 cases. Similarly, prevention and control measures are strengthened in the health institutions supported by the project and hygiene awareness sessions are offered to street children in Bangui.
Information leaflet on social distancing in times of COVID-19 plastered on the minibus of the mobile unit during a round-up with street children in PK0, Bangui. October 9, 2020 © TGH
The implementation of TGH's activities focuses on interventions with street children, in conjunction with the Fondation Voix du Cœur (FVDC), TGH's long-standing partner in Bangui managing three centres for street children.
Through the organisation of round-ups with the mobile unit, the TGH teams have access to the different areas of Bangui where the children are located. Five times a week, the mobile unit makes contact with the children in order to offer them initial medical care or to direct them to health facilities when necessary. The mobile unit also facilitates family reunification when relevant.
During the outreach activities as well as during the sessions at the FVDC centres, TGH teams introduce the children to social distancing measures, information about COVID-19 and answers to misinformation in a playful manner. TGH also distributed hygiene kits to 400 vulnerable children in Bangui during hygiene promotion sessions. In addition to information sessions about COVID-19, children have access to awareness-raising activities on gender-based violence (GBV).
Handwashing kits distribution to the street committees, PK0, Bangui. January 2, 2021, ©TGH
In parallel, TGH supports the creation of street committees, composed of adult referents, shopkeepers and neighbourhood representatives who would be able to encourage the acceptance of TGH in the different intervention areas as well as the integration of children and young adults living on the street into the community. These committees allow for feedback from the children, and alert TGH staff if necessary (e.g. in case of illness or urgent needs). The TGH team can also call on them to gather information about their needs. The street committees are a particular feature of the project, helping to improve the support offered by TGH as well as raising the children's awareness on hygiene and measures to combat COVID-19.
Distribution of clothes, Marabena, Bangui, December 2020 © TGH