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Snapshot of Emerging Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic

Snapshot of Emerging Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic May 12, 2020Leave a comment

Myanmar COVID-19 Response Center

MCRC, is an initiative launched on the 15th of March 2020 by Swe Thahar organization, Nyan Lin Thit Research Group, Synergy Social Harmony Organization, Myanmar Global Expedition Club and Young Activists to combat COVID-19. 

The participating organizations all have extensive experience dealing with crises and leading emergency responses. The aim of establishing MCRC is to partner with the government and other CSOs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and initiate activities as necessary. MCRC provides equipment to assist physicians, nurses, support workers and volunteers employed at quarantine centers and other preventive programs. 

They are also cooperating with volunteer groups, CBOs and health organizations to distribute soap and hand soap or gel in densely populated suburbs, set up 100 hand basins for hand washing and install temporary sinks at gathering spots such as bus stops in their target townships of Shwepyithar, Shwepyithar Hlaing Thar Yar North & South Dagon Township and North Okkalapa.

Mon State COVID-19 Response

In Mon State, we are working closely with 13 local-based CSOs in different townships such as Kyaikto, Bilin, Thaton, Paung, Mawlamying, Kyaikmaraw, Mudon, Ye and Thanbyuzayat. They recently developed their network as a community contact forum in Messenger and communicate up-to-date news and precautionary activities related to Covid-19 of each agency inside the State. 

Their network has strengthened their coordination and they are actively updating in real-time, inspiring each other and maintaining links. We have supplied them with 120 sets of PPE and have provided them connections to purchase necessary Covid-19 protective equipment. We are also covering the costs of continuing communications among the partners. In addition to the network, we have provided support to cover the transportation expenses of Southern Myanmar News Agency to cover the socioeconomic situation on the ground and inform the public of Covid-19 responses.

Rakhine State COVID-19 Response

We are working directly with three groups in Rakhine State to respond to COVID-19. All of the groups are assisting IDPs in their work through COVID-19 awareness and provision of sanitary materials. Two of the notable groups are below:
RSSDO, a dedicated and active member of the Kyauk Phyu SEZ Watch, is heading Covid-19 response programs in the Kyaukphyu area. There activities also include Rakhine and Muslim IDPs. They have collaborated with local authorities to lead the distribution of IEC materials in urban areas and to raise the COVID-19 guidance sign in public locations. They are also providing masks, hand gel and T-shirts with Covid-19 guidance to those who have wide contact with the public such as drivers, volunteers, and water taxi drivers.

RYN, a community group in Rakhine state that we have collaborated with several times, are responding to COVID-19 in Ann, Taungup, Gwa, Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, Sittwe, Yathaetaung, Maruk U and Pauktaw townships. RYN are highly capable of critical rapid response for emergency needs in IDP settlements and families affected by armed conflict. 

Our current grant support to RYN assists with rapid response by providing essential health and sanitary materials to the most vulnerable populations in Rakhine State: IDPs. The grant supports IDPs with masks, hand sanitizer and IEC materials. Where water is readily available, RYN is providing soap and liquid detergent; where the water supply is insufficient, they are providing hand gel. As they implement the project, they are also linking with other networks to further awareness of COVID-19. They This initiative will directly benefit approximately 10,000 vulnerable people.

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