09/07/2020
by Sara Gianesini, Project manager “Integration of asylum seekers and Senegalese refugees”
In Guinea-Bissau the spread of the coronavirus is worrying: the infections, in fact, continue to increase (1,654 cases as of June 29 according to data from the COES, Centro de Operações de Emergência de Saúde) and the Government has just renewed the state of emergency for a another month, until 25 July 2020. It is therefore more than 3 months now that the Guinean people are facing the health and food emergency with little means and international organizations are making the best effort to support the civilian population.
In May, in collaboration with the UNHCR, Mani Tese delivered basic necessities and hygiene items to 40 villages located on the border with Senegal. In particular, 480 hand washing kits, 1,680 bars of soap, 2,600 washable masks, 1,400 liters of bleach, 14,000 kg of rice, 1,000 kg of onions, 1,040 liters of oil and 2,280 liters of vinegar were distributed.
But that’s not enough. In the villages of the Cacheu region, where we operate, the population is in great difficulty due to restrictions due to the state of emergency. This is documented by a socio-economic survey conducted by Mani Tese in the area.
Among the most urgent needs is the supply of food and the need to relaunch the cajiu trade, which has a huge impact on family economies. The population also needs seeds for cultivation that can help in community subsistence.
To meet these needs, in June we delivered chicks and feed to 10 community chicken coops and unlocked non-repayable support for 10 communities to purchase mancarra seeds and beans for the upcoming agricultural season which coincides with the rainy season. All activities that help refugee communities to face the moment of emergency not only for health but also for food.
These activities were carried out as part of the “Integration of asylum seekers and Senegalese refugees” project implemented in partnership with UNHCR.
In the photos below, the delivery of basic necessities and hygiene items took place in May.
