Help the World's Poorest Affected by COVID-19

Thank you for your support of Concern Worldwide’s project to help the world’s poorest affected by COVID-19. With the help of people like you, Concern responded swiftly to slow the spread within vulnerable populations living in extreme poverty in our two dozen countries of operation

This includes Kenya, where we contributed to the Nairobi Metropolitan Services’ efforts in 80 health facilities and hotspot areas between four informal settlements in Nairobi County. We were able to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfection materials for health and community workers, train 400 community health volunteers on COVID-19 prevention, and build confidence among providers and their clients.

At the Antenatal Care Clinic in Mathare North Health Center, health care workers faced many challenges during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and were afraid of being exposed to the virus due to lack of sufficient PPE. They were issued one mask per day with limited decontamination material and saw fear across board as the patients avoided hospital visits. There was a drastic reduction in the number of mothers attending the facility due to the fears of contracting COVID-19, from 40 to 20 women per day.

But after the clinic received support including PPE and training, word spread throughout the community of the improved safety procedures and the need to continue antenatal care. There has since been a significant increase in the number mothers attending the facility.

As the pandemic continues, Concern has witnessed first-hand its ripple effect on all areas of life from the general wellbeing of the mothers and their children to food security, education, and livelihoods. While our work strengthening health systems will continue to be needed, we are broadening our approach to COVID-19 for the long haul.

Millions more face hunger and malnutrition due to job losses, supply chain disruptions, and travel restrictions. Hard won gains increasing access to education for children around the world are being threatened by school closures, limitations to remote opportunities, and an economic climate that has forced many children to help support their families.

Thank you for helping make our early response to COVID-19 possible. I invite you to explore our ongoing approach to the pandemic and our work fighting extreme poverty on our website, concernusa.org.