As part of its Covid-19 response, Hand in Hand Zimbabwe (HiHZim) has rolled out a number of coronavirus humanitarian activities, which include distribution of food hampers, awareness material, personal protective equipment (PPEs) and disinfectants to front line staff and other essential service providers in the seven national districts it operates in.

The ongoing interventions are set to benefit more than 300 000 community members in 82 wards, 35 rural health centres and 35 local partners in Bulilima, Chikomba, Chirumanzu, Gwanda, Lupane, Nkayi and Shurugwi district.

Distributions of the food hampers and other material is being done under special arrangements in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) safety guidelines.

Part of Hand in Hand Zimbabwe interventions also include information dissemination in local languages to create and raise awareness on Covid-19. Posters, brochures and flyers on Covid-19 risk awareness have been and are still being distributed in all the seven districts.

Having noted that there has been a spike in gender-based violence (GBV) cases during the lockdown, Hand in Hand Zimbabwe is working with the district Covid-19 task teams to disseminate information on GBV prevention. This is being done in partnership with the Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Ministry and the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Victim Friendly Unit.

Infection control accessories such as tippy tap hand washing facilities and liquid soap are also being distributed to water sources, business centres, and community gardens to help contain the spread of Covid-19.