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DAKAR, Senegal, May 6th, 2020,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Early April, Speak Up Africa, a strategic communications and advocacy not-for-profit organisation for sustainable development in Africa, launched the “Stay Safe Africa” campaign. This campaign aims to empower communities and individuals to take simple and proven preventative measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Africa.
Around the world, COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on the health of citizens, as well as national and global economies. At present, in Africa, there are 47,118 confirmed cases, 1,843 deaths and 15,587 recoveries.
Several risk factors mean the virus could spread quickly across the continent. High population densities, communal living, frequent and close contact between generations, as well as the constrained access to water and washing facilities all increase the likelihood of coronavirus infections and fatalities.
A coordinated Africa-led approach to slow the spread of COVID-19 is crucial to address the continent’s uneven access to tools and services and respond to Africa’s diverse cultural landscape.
In April, to mobilise and manage funds from the public and private sector as well as individuals in Africa and to further strengthen the continent’s response to the pandemic, the African Union and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) launched the Africa COVID-19 Response Fund.
“Many countries from South Africa to Senegal via Nigeria and Kenya have announced the creation of solidarity funds. While these funds will serve primarily a national agenda, the virus knows no borders. And because the average citizen with disposable income can give small amounts of money, our best bet to fund the Africa CDC, in times of economic hardship, is to pool our resources,” adds Carl Manlan, COO of the Ecobank Foundation.
The Stay Safe Africa campaign incorporates messages and advice tailored for African communities and leadership, accounting for language, literacy and cultural barriers. “It is vital that individuals across Africa take responsibility to protect themselves, their families and their communities, by following the recommended prevention measures. As Africans, we must come together, with distance, and realise the importance of protecting ourselves from COVID-19 and act quickly”, highlighted Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa.
As the world comes together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that essential services and operations continue to protect the lives of people affected by malaria, Neglected Tropical Diseases, vaccine preventable diseases and in need of improved access to adequate sanitation.
The campaign is open to all partners, journalists, civil society organisations and communities to adopt and support and all assets to help support the campaign are available at StaySafeAfrica.org in both English and French.
Report distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Stay Safe Africa Campaign.
For more information on how you can join the campaign, please contact info@staysafeafrica.org
About Speak up Africa
Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, Speak Up Africa is a policy and advocacy action tank dedicated to catalyzing leadership, enabling policy change, and increasing awareness for sustainable development in Africa. Speak Up Africa ensures policy makers meet implementers; that solutions are showcased and that every sector- from individual citizens and civil society groups to global donors and business leaders – contributes critically to the dialogue and strives to form the blueprints for concrete action for public health and sustainable development.
