COVID-19 : Première Urgence Internationale in the face of the pandemic
Première Urgence Internationale teams are doubling their efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of potential victims. Faced with the global scale of the pandemic, all of our missions are adapting their intervention and taking exceptional measures. Find on this page, the actions of the NGO in the different countries where intervention is taking place.
What is COVID-19?
On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. This epidemic, which started in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China, has led to a health emergency worldwide. COVID-19 is an infectious disease that can lead to respiratory infections. Even if the majority of people recover without needing any special treatment, the virus is particularly deadly for the most fragile people. Première Urgence Internationale teams remain mobilised for the most vulnerable populations, in France and around the globe.
5 barrier gestures to stop the spread of the virus
- 1 – Stay at home and only go out when it is absolutely necessary
- 2 – Wash your hands regularly
- 3 – Covering mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing
- 4 – Avoid touching your face
- 5 – Keep a minimum distance of 1 to 2 meters from others when you are outside
What are the priorities and actions implemented to fight COVID-19
Health is the core sector of Première Urgence Internationale. Indeed the NGO intervenes and has intervened in many countries in the management of epidemics:
- Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea
- Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Cholera in Yemen
- HIV / AIDS in Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Malaria in several countries of Central and Sahelian Africa
Our teams in the field are doubling their efforts to continue the operations in progress as much as possible, while raising awareness among the populations regarding the ways of transmission and the barrier measures to curb this disease.
How is the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic impacting the missions of Première Urgence Internationale
This global pandemic affects all of the NGO’s activities, which operate mainly in countries where health systems are weakened. The teams adapt their actions day by day and if the situation requires it, the activities can be gradually reduced, in order to focus on medical and lifesaving activities such as infection prevention and control, access to water, hygiene and sanitation, psychosocial support and nutrition.
In addition, the closure of certain borders and the reduction of transport will have consequences for the supply of humanitarian material, particularly medical items. All Première Urgence Internationale teams are currently working to limit the impacts and ensure continuous access to essential services for the vulnerable populations.
What measures are been taken for the NGO teams
Première Urgence Internationale is committed to preserving the health of its staff and its beneficiaries while maintaining interventions. Concerning CODIV-19, the NGO had to urgently adapt its humanitarian interventions and take exceptional measures on all of its missions and also at its Headquarters in order to minimise the risks of contamination and the potential of spreading the virus. For example, from the start of the epidemic, the NGO decided to suspend the international travel of its teams to limit the risk of the virus spreading across borders.
Some recommendations during the confinement
