The spread of Coronavirus in Kenya

Kenya, especially Nairobi, is the entry point to East Africa where most goods and people travel through to get to the rest of the continent. As a strategic location and a key regional and commercial hub, the risk of a widespread Coronavirus outbreak in the country is extremely high.

At the same time, there are approximately 2.5 million slum dwellers in about 200 settlements in Nairobi representing 60% of the city’s population and occupying just 6% of the land. Kibera, the biggest slum in Africa (and one of the biggest in the world) has a population of 250,000 people. An average shack in Kibera often houses up to 8 or more with many sleeping on the floor. To make matters worse, in most areas there are no toilet facilities, with approximately one latrine for every 50 shacks. Proper sanitation and social distancing measures are near impossible to maintain.

The government of Kenya has formed a National Emergency and Response Committee (NERC) to guide preparedness, early detection and response for Coronavirus in Kenya. To date the government has closed all education institutions and worship centres, banned international flights, restricted movements on borders, urged organisations to allow their employees to work from home and citizens to use mobile money instead of cash.

To date, 246,643 cases and 4,995 deaths have been recorded in the country.

How Habitat is helping to slow the spread of Coronavirus

Targeted text campaign

Many Kenyan people don’t have internet on their mobile phones and therefore cannot access accurate information regarding coronavirus prevention measures. The Ministry of Health in Kenya has been sending out text messages to maintain distance and proper hygiene. However, because the information is only translated in English and Swahili languages, it overlooks a high number of local illiterate population. Communities who are either illiterate or don’t understand Swahili or English may not understand the information shared or appreciate the severity of the situation. For this reason, Habitat for Humanity has set up a targeted text message campaign, using an sms chatbot designed to engage and train hard to reach audiences on basic phones and smartphones. The text campaign has been translated into indigenous languages and includes: information on Coronavirus, when and how to seek medical advice, DIY soap and sanitizer recipes, and the importance of staying socially connected while physically distancing.  Through this campaign we will be reaching over 100,00 people primarily in informal settlements in Homabay, Laikipia, Nairobi and Kisumu Counties.

Hygiene promotion and awareness

Habitat for Humanity is setting up 100 portable hand-washing stations, filled with water and liquid soap which is dispensed through a tap, in public locations in Homabay and Laikipia Counties. We are working in partnership with community-based organizations and the Ministry of Social Services, to ensure maintenance of the facilities and continued practice of hand-washing.  We are distributing hygiene kits to 100,000 targeted slum residents, each containing face masks, liquid soap (500ml) and hand sanitizers (500ml).

To ensure that the families that have been hit hardest are being supported, we have started providing small cash grants and vital resources to 200 poor and vulnerable households that we have identified in a recent baseline survey. These include child headed households, elderly people taking care of orphans and vulnerable children, widows infected by HIV/Aids, without a stable income and taking care of children, and the disabled. Habitat for Humanity in Kenya will keep supporting these families for the next two years.

COVID-19 Lifeline for Vulnerable Families in Laikipia

160 vulnerable families benefitted from 3,000 shillings’ monthly cash transfer from HFH Kenya for a period of 6 months amidst dwindling incomes for most families in Kenya due to Covid-19. 

As part of our disaster response, Habitat for Humanity Kenya identified 160 vulnerable families in Laikipia County drawn from our Vulnerable Group Housing program. Here we introduced a monthly food grant through a series of cash transfers with the objective being to ensure these families are cushioned from the economic impacts of Covid-19 and in the very least be able to put food on their table.

The program which ran for a period of 6 months was implemented in 6 locations namely; Muikima, Kariunga, Naibor, Marura, Majengo and Kandutura. Money distributed to beneficiaries was sufficient to cover household food needs for 98% of the respondents’ households. The number of Meal per day and proper diet increased for 35.2% of the respondent households since the cash distribution started.  

Food security is a major challenge for most people living in Laikipia due to the impact of Covid-19 and the harsh weather condition of the area. Increasing the cash transfer value to meet the food basket value and other alternative food assistance and/or livelihood support should be sought to address the need of the communities. As such, Habitat Kenya will collaborate with other stakeholders to address the deteriorated food security situation in the region and increase the numbers reached by this cash intervention.

Distribution of sanitary kits and food items

Since June, Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia has started providing sanitary kits and food items to vulnerable families who are severely impacted by the spread of the virus in Lideta Sub City, Addis Ababa.

The sanitary kits include: 2000 bottle liquid soap, 2000 soap bars and 2000 sanitizers. To enhance families’ resilience, we are also distributing 6000Kg of flour (30 kg per family) and 3,000 liters of edible oil (15 liters per family). 20 volunteers have also been trained to assist in the distribution of items and in conveying key messages to families.

‘’I stay at home. My husband’s income is not enough for our livelihood. We face big challenges as we cannot go out and win our daily bread. We do not have enough soap, sanitizers, and food. I want to thank Habitat Ethiopia for assisting us to protect ourselves from Coronavirus, otherwise it would be difficult for us”.

Zeritu Sisay is one of family members we supported. She has two children and her husband is daily labourer, earning a very low income. Zeritu used to wash clothes for other families to bring additional income but had to leave her job because of the Coronavirus restrictions.

The spread of Coronavirus in India

India holds the third-highest death toll reported globally, with more than 30 million Covid-19 Cases reported, and the highest peak of daily cases reaching a devastating 414,144. The worst-hit region of Maharashtra has suffered with a cumulative 6,043,548 of these cases. As of recent, there has been news coverage globally about the lack of resources and capacity available in India to treat patients, with hospitals reaching a breaking point and turning desperate patients away. 

It is estimated that in Dharavi Slum of Maharashtra state, 800,000 people live in a one-square-mile stretch, boxed in between thundering train tracks and a polluted river separating it from the skyscrapers of Mumbai’s financial district. The total caseload in this area peaked at around 6,875, which highlights the challenge that the country has been facing.

The risk of widespread Coronavirus infection in India is high, as there is a staggering need for homes and proper sanitation in the country. According to the UN, more than half of the population in the country are forced to go to the toilet in the open. In the slum areas, toilet blocks do exist, but they are often dirty, poorly maintained and putting families at a constant high risk of Coronavirus and other infectious diseases.

The Government enforced a nationwide lockdown affecting the entire 1.3 billion population of India, which was extended until May 31st.

To date, 33,524,134 cases and 445,699 deaths have been recorded in the country.

How Habitat is helping to slow the spread of Coronavirus

Habitat for Humanity India is working in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra to fight Coronavirus. We are also working with 13 other administrations and government agencies at a grassroot level, focusing our support in the states of Delhi, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka and Rajasthan.

Delivery of vital resources and awareness promotion

Habitat for Humanity India have been their focusing their Coronavirus response on raising awareness of importance of hygiene and sanitation through our Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme. As the country implements unprecedented measures, we are supporting families and individuals by providing them with family essentials kits and hygiene kits.

To date, we have reached over 1 million individuals through our response. We have distributed, 593,165 family and hygiene kits while we have served and reached 160,810 families. Our teams on the ground have been organising awareness sessions at a grassroot level to share accurate information and help people understand how to protect themselves, their families and others. More than 64,636 people have attended our Behaviour Change Communication training and 147,200 have received Conditional Cash Transfers.

We have also been training community workers to help with the distribution of hygiene kits and to further promote the use of soap/sanitizers/floor disinfectants to help keep hands and surroundings clean.

Covid-19 Care Centres

In partnership with Anant University, we are converting vacant premises into fully equipped temporary care and isolation facilities for Covid-19 patients. Our Habitat Covid-19 Care Centres have been developed to create a surge capacity of oxygen systems, drinking water, hygiene facilities, beds and mattresses, hygiene products and sufficient PPE for healthcare workers. 

So far, Habitat have delivered 16 Covid-19 Care Centres in 8 cities, including Maharashtra, Bangalore, Kerala and Delhi, with the capacity to serve approx. 1,975 people. More than 4,000 people have already been served. Where appropriate increased capacity will remain in place after the pandemic abates, strengthening the healthcare system for India’s future.

Additionally, over the past few months we have raised £35,523 thanks to your donations, and the help of our partners COINS Foundation and M&G.  

The spread of Coronavirus in Romania

Coronavirus is spreading fast in Romania and the country has been on nationwide lockdown as of March 24, with schools closed and flights suspended.

To date 1,158,841 cases and 35,721 deaths have been recorded in the country.

How Habitat is helping to slow the spread of Coronavirus

Building an Emergency Medical Centre

In a pandemic, rapid medical response together with a strong health system are prerequisites for successful interventions. Habitat for Humanity Romania, in partnership with the Moinesti Ambulance Center are currently building an Emergency Center, which will serve over 65,000 people from 11 communities in Romania.  Upon completion, the Center will be handed over to the Ministry of Health and will be functional during the pandemic and afterwards.

Undertaking vital repairs and improvements

An estimated 52% of Romanians live in overcrowded conditions, while urgent repairs are needed on 21.5% of the country’s houses. In the Vaideeni slum, one of the poorest communities in the country, the risk of a Coronavirus outbreak is significantly high. While following the appropriate prevention and social distancing measures, we are working on urgent home repairs for 10 families in the slum. The families are living in overcrowded conditions, with no running water at their homes. The repairs will improve their sanitation and hygiene practices and allow them to self-isolate safely.