COVID-19 and Locust Response

COVID‑19 continues to spread around the world, including within the countries most vulnerable to its health and economic impact. People fleeing conflict, living in poverty or without access to healthcare face the greatest risk from this pandemic. Countries with effective health systems are in a much better position to monitor, identify, and treat those with the virus, as well as to trace exposure and prevent its spread. We are most concerned with the potential devastating effects on the world’s most vulnerable populations, including refugees and migrant populations in countries ravaged by conflict or for other reasons lack well-functioning health infrastructure. As Kenya maintains varying types of lockdown and it becomes harder for international aid to reach people who most need humanitarian assistance, TUPADO’s teams are already on the ground. Our teams are helping communities to prepare for and protect against the Coronavirus pandemic through airing radio spots Swahili and Turkana languages tailored in desert locusts and covid-19. This we do in collaboration with Ekeyokon radio station broadcasting from Turkana county. We’re working to help many communities protect themselves against the spread of infectious disease by providing accurate information and resources for safe handwashing. In particular, TUPADO in partnership with Omo Delta Consortium and other projects has designed, printed out and distributed posters containing critical information on Desert Locust Control and COVID-19 Control. These posters have been distributed to Desert Locust Scouts and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in Turkana North and by extension the entire Turkana county.  A total of 480 Posters were produced and distributed (240 for Desert Locust Control and 240 for COVID-19 Control and Prevention). This has helped beneficiaries to be well informed on Desert Locust and COVID-19 and management procedures, the negative impacts of the pandemic A total of 200 vulnerable beneficiaries have received e-vouchers for food and detergents worth Ksh 3000. Every beneficiary has redeemed the e-vouchers and have taken their baskets. The unconditional food and detergent supply were made possible by Omo Delta Project through the Myfugo platform.