Supporting Cyclone affected communities in the fight against COVID-19 

The COVID-19 pandemic has added a new layer of vulnerability to the Cyclone Idai affected  communities. Through the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project (ZIRP) funded by the World Bank and managed by UNOPS, several activities have been supported and implemented by WHO, UNICEF and UNOPS under various targeted sectors.

In the month of August, 40 new Village Health Workers were trained on COVID-19 awareness, bringing the total number of Village Health Workers capacitated to disseminate prevention messaging on COVID-19 to 403. With technical agencies collaborating together, 539,405 people have been sensitised on COVID-19 to date.

Further, PPE in the form of 10,000 reusable face masks, and  15,000 surgical gloves have been procured and delivered under the planned COVID-19 activities. Additionally, 18 motorcycles have been procured to support the deployment of teams to the field and the training of health workers responding to the pandemic. More PPE including reusable and medical face masks, liquid soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and knapsack sprayers are expected to be delivered by the end of September.