health

In 2020, communities in Chad are still vulnerable to malnutrition. The challenging climate, limited access to water, poor crop production, and insufficient medical infrastructure have created a crisis situation to which the COVID-19 pandemic now also contributes. For two years, Première Urgence Internationale has been working in close cooperation with mothers and guardians to make diagnosis easier and to treat seriously ill children more quickly.

In the East of Afghanistan, Première Urgence Internationale has been taking action for four decades to respond the emergency health needs and contribute to the improvement of public services. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NGO is implementing several activities and adapting its usual programs. Dedicated resources and special extra supply have been delivered, through a humanitarian air bridge connecting Europe and Afghanistan.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is still plagued by several deadly viral epidemics, including COVID-19 and the Ebola virus disease. Première Urgence Internationale is participating in the emergency health response to curb these two epidemics, and continues, at the same time, its vaccination campaign against measles in the provinces of Kasai and central Kasai. Between April and May 2020, more than 32,500 children were vaccinated against this deadly and highly contagious disease.

On the 15th of March 2020, the Syrian crisis entered its 10th year. A week later, the first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported in Syria. The 9 years of conflict have already left the country battered, but the COVID-19 pandemic has presented yet another challenge for an overburdened and fragile social protection system. Against this backdrop, Première Urgence Internationale was one of the first organizations that responded quickly to address the emerging urgent needs in Syria. With the support of partners, the NGO has worked across its sectors to contribute to common efforts working on preventing a spiraling COVID-19 outbreak in Syria.

To help the Lebanese government face the COVID-19 epidemic, Première Urgence Internationale ensures the continuity of its services in the country, and recently started an additional emergency response, in close cooperation with other INGOs. During 45 days, the teams will be distributing personal protective equipment, setting up awareness training sessions, and support the setup of isolation centres. 

In Iraq and Kurdistan, Première Urgence Internationale is an important camp health actor, managing primary healthcare centres in three camps hosting refugees and internally displaced people. To continue responding to the needs of these vulnerable populations in these times of pandemic, the mission reorganised its functioning, putting in place quarantine areas and conducting awareness raising sessions.

Just like in countries such as Nigeria, Lybia and Mali, Première Urgence Internationale set up mobile clinics in Ile-de-France to facilitate access to the healthcare system for the less fortunate people. The goal : proposing free consultations and heighten awareness about COVID-19 for the most vulnerable who have no direct access to healthcare.

For almost seven years, a war has been fought in silence at the gates of Europe. In the east of the country, particularly in Donbas province, hostilities continue daily. Infrastructure is damaged, and health services destroyed. To support civilians, Première Urgence Internationale intervenes in several villages and provides material support.

Première Urgence Internationale has a long record of supporting people across the world, in crisis and conflicts situations. The ongoing global outbreak of COVID-19 replaces all countries on an equal basis, and imposes to respect everywhere the same guidelines and measures. Especially in terms of hygiene, access to water, and sanitation. Echoing on the World Water Day, this Sunday 22th of March, let’s remind the essential bases.

The global coronavirus epidemic forces many sectors of activity to slow down and adapt their functioning. The humanitarian sector is not an exception. Like other NGOs, Première Urgence Internationale is shifting its actions and programs throughout the world, like it already did in response to previous regional outbreaks. The priority is to protect health workers and the population, while ensuring the continuity of essential care.