Over 4000 Households in Kibuye 1 a slum area in Makidye Division in Kampala have received handwashing and protective materials in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The protective equipments which included over 1000 face masks, 4o handwashing stations, 8000 bars of soap, 80 jericans of liquid soap among others were delivered by Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI) and handed over to the Division Deputy Mayor for onward distribution.
While handing over the donations, CIDI Deputy Executive Director, Hellen Nakawoya said that this has been done to help the vulnerable people most of whom live in slums with essential equipments to help them observe the protective measures that were put in place by the Ministry of Health in the fight against COVID-19.
“Covid has brought an immeasurable pain and challenges in this country and all over the world because of the many disruptions, people can’t access the basic needs as they should do; as CIDI an organization that works around Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH), one of the challenge is that there has been pressure on homes and households as far as WaSH is concerned,” Nakawoya said.
Nakawoya said that as people are surviving trying to look for food, they tend to neglect any expenditure that seems not essential to them like purchase of soap and masks.
Nakawoya appreciated donors of Caritas Denmark who provided funds as well the leadership of Makindye Division for the good collaboration to help those in need.
The Project Manager, Evelyn Zalwango said that Kibuye 1 was chosen because it has the high population of people living in urban slums most of whom may not be able to adhere to the set guidelines.
“The Prevention and Awareness Creation of COVID-19 is done through sensitization, radio talkshows and provision of protective equipments to over 4000 households in Kibuye 1- Makindye Division,” Zalwango said.
While receiving the donations, the Division Deputy Mayor, Bosco Lusagala appreciated CIDI for the donations and asked the local leaders to ensure that the hand washing equipments are maintained properly.
“Our problem at the moment may not be COVID-19 since we have not registered any case in the area but we are challenged with sanitation needs and these may lead to outbreaks such as Cholera and dysentery,” Lusagala said.
