In the Kalobeyei refugee settlement of nearly 200,000 residents, Finn Church Aid (FCA) increases awareness on the coronavirus and on preventing the infection.

“In the densely populated refugee settlements, diseases can spread faster than anywhere else. Now we need to act fast and start preventive actions before the virus reaches these areas,” says FCA’s Head of Humanitarian Assistance Eija Alajarva.

Information on e.g. the importance of handwashing will be shared among the residents of the refugee settlements in events, as well as through radio, text messages and posters. Information will be provided in local languages. FCA will set up handwashing facilities and distribute hygiene products such as soap and hand sanitizer.

Funds will also be used for supporting distance education. Kenya’s decision to close schools on March 16 means that there are 17,000 children and youths out of schools in the Kalobeyei area.

”Due to the school closures, there are likely to be dropouts, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, drug abuse and antisocial behaviour. Unless alternative ways are sought to encourage these learners to continue to access learning opportunities while at home, the likelihood that they will return to school will decrease,” says FCA’s Country Director for Kenya, John Bongei.

These efforts will reach 15,000 students. Through the radio, FCA aims to reach all the residents in Kalobeyei.

FCA also works to help prevent the coronavirus in Uganda and Somalia.

More information:

Head of Humanitarian Assistance Eija Alajarva, Tel. +358 40 582 1183, eija.alajarva@kua.fi

Country directors’ interviews are organised by: Head of Communications, Noora Jussila, Tel. +358 50 576 7948, noora.jussila@kua.fi