Since the beginning of 2020, the world has been facing a global epidemic of COVID-19 whose effects are most severe for the most economically and health fragile countries. The restrictions imposed have negatively affected overall living conditions: in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, small-scale subsistence farmers are most affected; in urban areas, where there is a strong dependence on markets as the main source of supply, reduced mobility of raw materials and people leads to higher food prices. As a result, there is a growing fear of a drastic increase in food insecurity. The current crisis plunges people into absolute emergency: without income there is no money for food or other daily needs.

In addition to the economic and social impact, the pandemic has highlighted the serious limitations of the health systems: inadequate and insufficient infrastructure, poorly trained and demotivated medical staff, anarchic development of ill-equipped and poorly professional private health facilities.

What we have achieved so far
In the first phase of the emergency, it was possible to offer help to the partner health structures (Monkole Hospital Centre and Institute of Nursing Sciences -ISSI in the DR Congo; Walé Health Centre in the Ivory Coast and Niger Foundation Hospital in Nigeria) by ensuring personal protective equipment, intensive care equipment and distance learning; awareness campaigns were also promoted in the most peripheral places to combat the spread of the virus.

At a later stage, help was provided to ensure continuity in the training of medical and nursing staff; equipment was purchased to carry out tests and analyses; the existing infrastructure was improved for better distancing; and home health care was strengthened. From 2020 to the first half of 2021, thanks to the efforts of the various Harambee Committees around the world, € 83,435 was raised.

The results achieved so far have only been achieved thanks to the generous contributions received.
There is a need to continue to ensure assistance, allowing the health structures of reference to guarantee the most adequate response to the needs of the assisted population.

Harambee emergency campaign, phase III

“The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting each and every one of us. However, the most devastating and destabilising effects will be felt in the poorest countries. Unless immediate action is taken, we will have to prepare for a significant increase in conflict, hunger and poverty. If we do not ensure support for the most vulnerable – in the fight against the pandemic and the consequences of the global recession, we will all have to deal with the fallout for several years. And the effects would be even more painful, and much more costly, for everyone.” Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

In constant contact with local health structures and through monitoring, Harambee’s appeal constantly responds to the urgent and real needs of the populations it addresses.
The third phase of the emergency campaign therefore has the following objectives:

-DR Congo. Institute of Nursing Sciences – ISSI
ISSI trains around 200 qualified nurses per year ready to assist the population of the Mont-Ngafula area, and other parts of the country, in the most critical emergency situations.
Needs:
Renewal of spaces and ventilation devices to ensure a safer and more suitable environment for learning.
Cost = 13,800

-Ivory Coast. Walé Health Centre
Walé serves a population of about 65,000 in the Yamoussoukro suburban area. It provides at least 700 visits a day and quality services at an affordable price.
Needs:
Distribution of supplements, milk powder, flours and malt to combat child malnutrition.
Cost= 10 euros per kit per person
Treatment of sickle cell anaemia
Cost= 23 euros per month per person

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“Love is also social and political, there is social love and political love, it is universal, always overflowing with small gestures of personal charity capable of transforming and improving societies” Pope Francis