PFR delivers response to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many people across the world as it is the case in Rwanda. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic particularly in refugee settings, Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) alongside other partners operating in refugee camps has been sharing information and raising awareness of refugees on COVID-19 in order to help them have basic information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), its symptoms, complications, how it is transmitted and how to prevent its transmission. public awareness campaigns, circulating messages via banners and posters, community radios, megaphones, video messages, social media platforms, phone calls as well as text messages. PFR enhanced PoCs’ engagement through existing community structures such as refugee representatives, groups/associations, and community volunteers.
Also, Prison Fellowship Rwanda staff and Community Based Protection Facilitators in collaboration with refugee representatives and camp leaders, have been using megaphones where our staff go across the camps to spread the information and sensitize refugee communities to follow recommendations and respect measures taken by the Government of Rwanda and other responsible health agencies.
PFR staff collaborates with community volunteers and paralegals to raise awareness on the spread and prevention of Covid-19.
COVID-19 Socio-economic relief support
While COVID-19 continues to spread, Prison Fellowship Rwanda values the importance of working with the government of Rwanda and other partners and communities to take action to prevent further transmission, reduce the impacts of the outbreak and support control measures.
In addition to supporting prevention measures, Prison Fellowship Rwanda has provided socio-economic support to beneficiaries in communities and prisons. PFR provided support to prisons to meet basic needs such as food, and hygienic materials.
KARASISI Ernest, PFR staff, presenting to prisons officials, CP Bosco Kabanda(right), and CIP Bosco Munyanziza (left)
Prison Fellowship Rwanda provided food supplements to 325 families to cope with the consequences of COVID-19.
Provision of livestock, seeds, and fertilizers.
Under the COVID-19 economic relief support, with sponsorship from the UNDP Rwanda, Prison Fellowship Rwanda provided livestock(goats), seeds and fertilisers in 5 districts namely Bugesera, Ngoma, Rwamagana, Musanze, and Rubavu. A total 1,000 families received the covid-19 economic relief support. With the negative impact brought by the Covid-19 lockdown, many families lost what they had saved for the new agricultural season where most of them sold goats and seeds they have to get food. This economic relief support provided to them (goats, Seeds and fertilisers) will improve their agricultural activities replaces what was lost during the lockdown as most residents had used the existing resources to feed their families during the lockdown.
Goats were provided as PFR’s economic relief support to help families to cope with the COVID-19 consequences
Distribution of Hygiene Materials
PFR in collaboration with Red Cross distributed basins and soaps to refugees in isolation to boost handwashing as one of the preventive measures.
Distribution of face masks
Prison Fellowship Rwanda, alongside UNHCR and other partners took part in the distribution of face masks in the camps – another means to curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Coordinated efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in different locations
Prison Fellowship Rwanda staff, community volunteers, paralegals in collaboration with the government of Rwanda and other partners have been working hard to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In the photo above, the delegation from Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), UNHCR, Prison Fellowship Rwanda, Rwanda Biomedical Center, African Humanitarian Action, World Vision, and the Mayor of Nyamagabe during the visit to Nyamagabe District. The purpose of the visit was to explore how they can join their efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Kigeme refugee camp located in Nyamagabe District.
In close collaboration with MINEMA and UNHCR, PFR initiated the youth volunteers to assist in community mobilization on the observance of the COVID-19 preventive measures such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands regularly.
