Africa’s method of fighting COVID-19: NGO raises concern about number of vulnerable children

He said that although significant efforts had been made by African governments to respond to the pandemic, the number of cases in Africa had also increased since March 13.

“With South Sudan, the latest country on the continent to confirm a case on Sunday, there remain just three African countries – Lesotho, Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe – who have yet to report a case of COVID-19.

“Governments in the region are focusing on limiting the spread of the COVID-19 with increased restrictions, however, these measures disproportionately impact the poorest households that depend on the informal economy for livelihood.

“Across the continent, unlike in many parts of the world, social security coverage in Africa is extremely limited or non-existent and largely confined to workers in the formal economy and their families.

“The International Labour Organisation says only 17.8 per cent of Africans receive at least one social protection cash benefit, and only about 10 per cent of the economically active population is covered by social security schemes,” he observed.

He also said that Save the Children warned that ”as markets close and movement is restricted, many households will have less income to meet their basic needs, including food and fuel for cooking”. 

He noted that lack of income would have particularly dire consequences for the poorest households that might be forced to choose between paying rent and feeding their children.

He said that families on casual work were particularly vulnerable as they could not earn an income through working from home or self-isolating. 

He said that many of these families would need to rely on their savings to get by and be forced to deplete whatever food, fuel and water stocks they have.

Hazard said the organisation had therefore inaugurated 100 million-dollar fund raising to keep children and their families safe during the global COVID-19 outbreak.

According to him, Save the Children works with half a million community health workers in 44 countries, delivering vital health services.

Hazard said that the organisation would work with local communities to deliver training and protective equipment to boost the efforts at stopping the pandemic.(NAN)

ATAB/KAY

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Edited by Kayode Olaitan