Photo by Owies Elfaki, UNAMID.
Zalingei, 12 May 2020- As part of UNAMID response and mitigation measures against the spread of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) in Darfur, UNAMID’s Human Rights Section (HRS) distributed hygiene materials, comprising water jerrycans, soap, sanitizers and dignity kits to representatives of the Taiba and Al Salam IDP camps in Zalingei, central Darfur.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony held at the main gate to the Mission’s Headquarters, the Chief of the Human Rights Section, Mr. Marcel Akpovo urged the IDP representatives to comply with social distancing and crowd limitation guidelines when distributing the gifted materials in the Camps, highlighting the importance of adhering to the directives of the Federal and State Ministries of Health on preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19.
“The fight against this pandemic will not be won if we do not abandon some of our entrenched social practices that might contribute to the spread of the virus, such as handshakes and social gatherings. Remember also to wash your hands with this soap and water frequently and to stay at home as guided by your local health authorities, to avoid getting infected,” Mr. Akpovo stated adding that in the distribution of dignity kits, priority should be given to vulnerable women in the two IDPs Camps. A dignity kit comprises sanitary pads, soap and body lotion.
In his comments at the handover ceremony, the Sheikh of the IDPs Mr. AIhadi Adam, expressed his most sincere appreciation to UNAMID Human Rights Section for its kind gesture to the residents of the two IDPs Camps who will fully utilize them to improve their hand hygiene and help lessen their exposure to the corona virus.
UNAMID continues to work closely with the Transitional Government of Sudan (TGOS) in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic through various types of support including, amongst others, provision of PPE (personal protection equipment), generators, freezers, air conditioners, transportation of blood samples from Darfur to the Sudanese capital Khartoum, reconnaissance flights to the country’s Darfur borders with neighboring countries to assess level of preparedness to combat COVID-19.