1 COVID-19 OUTBREAK SOUTHERN CAUCASUS : OPERATIONAL UPDATE #4

Reporting date: 05 May 2020

This Information Bulletin is reporting on the COVID-19 response to date by Armenian Red Cross, Red Crescent and Georgia Red Cross. The situation

As of 5 May 2020, there were a total of 5,207 of confirmed engagement with communities to ensure all actions are in place COVID-19 cases, 77 death and 2,831 recovered cases in to prevent transmission. Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan with the following break-down per-country Based on the Operational Headquarters under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers mass events are still prohibited in zz2,619 cases in Armenia with 40 deaths and 1,111 Azerbaijan. , Sumgayit, Ganja and Lankaran cities and recovered cases. Absheron region are in the “orange zone”. Therefore, authorities zz1,984 cases in Azerbaijan with 28 deaths and 1,480 extended the quarantine regime until 31 May and a resolution recovered cases. issued on regulating the sanitary situation in Azerbaijan during zz604 cases in Georgia, 9 deaths and 240 recovered cases. this time.

The latest WHO sit-reps are here In Georgia, state of emergency will continue until 22 May. According to NCDC, Georgia is going through peak period of Visualisation and case numbers are here and on GO Platform the virus and the extension of the state of emergency wil l help the country prevent community transmission of the virus. While the state of emergency continues in Armenia until 15th Curfew is likely to continue until mid-May. Restriction on move- May, restrictions are gradually being softened. As of 4th May, ments of taxis and private cars were lifted. Two major cities in movement of people is allowed without permits; taxis and Georgia - Batumi and Kutaisi - lifted the lockdown measures private cars started moving around; supermarkets and small which were in force since mid-April, with the thermal control markets started functioning, but not the food markets. Beauty in place in both cities on entrance. The capital city Tbilisi is still salons and institutions are now operating but with full obser- closed, and only with special permits can be entered and only vance of safety measures. Cafes and restaurants are also open after the thermal control. Some food markets which managed with many people being going there and it is essential that key to implement the prevention measures, started functioning. prevention, safety and distancing measures are in place. This Beauty salons are open. situation calls for greater risk communication activities and

Useful Links

Communications A new set of infographics reflects our call for action for people to#StayHome, show solidarity and keep their physical distance, but stay socially close. COVID-19 RED Talks with experts: A Q&A with our Director for Health and Care Emanuele Capobianco, Online volunteers and on how communities are the key to helping end #COVID19. Let’s keep clapping for our frontline workers on this year’s World Red Cross Red Crescent Day which we celebrate on 8th of May. Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidance to help protect children and schools from transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The guidance provides critical considerations and practical checklists to keep schools safe. It also advises national and local authorities on how to adapt and implement emergency plans for educational facilities. 2

NATIONAL SOCIETIES’ ACTION IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

Armenian Red Cross Society

The Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS), as an auxiliary organi- The Armenian Red Cross mobilised and trained some 1,500 vol- zation to the public authorities in the humanitarian field and the unteers who together and under close supervision and support largest voluntary organization in the country, has a network of from ARCS staff provided food and non-food support to 8,711 11 regional, one territorial and 52 community branches, over most vulnerable people, including older people and people 60 experienced and committed staff and over 3,000 volunteers. with disabilities who are prone to severe illness and death from Armenian Red Cross is the main and the largest humanitarian COVID-19 in order to ‘shield’ them from risks of contracting the partner of the public authorities in the COVID-19 response cov- virus. The list of people who receive humanitarian assistance is ering the whole country. provided and closely coordinated with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. ARCS is part of the national response mechanism which is set up under the auspices of the Deputy Prime Minister of the ARCS Psycho-social support centres operate in an emergency country. From the very first days of the State of Emergency, mode, in cooperation with the MoH and MoLSA, in four loca- the ARCS has been implementing activities in response to the tions of Armenia: two in Yerevan, capital city, one in Tavush needs of vulnerable groups in collaboration and coordination region, city of Dilijan, another one in Gegharquniq regions, with the Commandant’s office, Ministry of Labor and Social city of Gavar, where ARCS psychologists provide psycho-social Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Territorial Administration support services to anxious citizens and also conduct volunteer and Infrastructure, all the Administrative Regions of Armenia recruitment, registration and provide guidance. The centres and the Yerevan Municipality. allow to identify people in difficult situation, establish their needs and assign volunteers to help with some households Gyumri 24 hour day-care centre was opened in Shirak region needs, including with shopping to lonely older people and on 1st of May under the fully management of the Armenian people with disabilities. Between 16 March and 04 May April, Red Cross Society in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour 7 PSS officers and staff responded to 5,439 calls and helped and Social Affairs. with 279 home visits by volunteers.

April-May will see Armenian Red Cross Society supporting Armenian RC continues to operate hotlines for people who are 15,000 vulnerable people across the country with basic food on isolation and provides referrals and direct services that are and hygiene supply, in line with the standards set by the within its response plan. Between 27 March and 14 April 148 Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. people in isolation received direct food and non-food support

EU Ambassador and Secretary General of Armenian Red Cross © Armenian Red Cross Society 3

from Armenian Red Cross and 123 calls were processed by Armenian Red Cross expresses its appreciation to the national 04 May including for referrals to other relevant organisations businesses for their generous donation: The donors are “Milko” and agencies. (CJSC), “ Sevani Ishkhan” (CJSC), “Sonanush” (LLC), “Green Farmer” (LLC), “Eco Fresh mushrooms” (LLC), “Ingo Armenia” (LLC), “Agro On 1 of May, the EU Armenia delegation Ambassador Andrea Trade” (LLC), “Golden Baker”, “Royal - Armenia”, “Smogsoyoiz” Wiktorin visited the Armenian Red Cross Society’s warehouse LLC, X Group, “Bayazed” (LLC), “Refruit” (LLC), Araks Poultry where the humanitarian aid packages comprising food and factory, Refruit (LTD), Carrefour Armenia, Electric networks of hygiene supplies are being sorted out, packed and dispatched Armenia, GAT cutting. to the vulnerable people by the volunteers. With the support of the European Union, the Armenian Red Cross Society provides Armenian Red Cross is supported technically and financially in social support to 1,485 vulnerable people in Shirak region. the planning, implementation and management of COVID-19 response by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red All risk communication materials and community engage- Crescent Societies. With support from ICRC the ARCS volunteers ment strategies consider issues of domestic violence, child and staff involved in the response across the country received protection, working with people with disabilities, working with personal protective items such as 15,000 masks, 15,000 gloves migrants and capturing myths and misinformation to further and 800 liters of hand cleansing liquid. adjust risk communication approaches. Volunteers are being trained in these areas. ARCS expresses its deep appreciation for the financial support from the Danish Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross, Austrian Red Partners and Donors of Cross, USAID, HSBC and the European Union. Armenian Red Cross Society

To respond to the worsening social conditions of the vulnerable people as a result of the pandemic, ARCS actively implements local and international resource mobilization.

Meet Armenian Red Cross’ volunteers

Volunteers are great people; I love the atmosphere in Armenian Red Cross. Everybody here has the same goal, which is to help people. Every day I am returning home having accumulated positive emotions throughout the day.

Besides, you see that your day was not meaningless, you were able to be useful to someone who needs your helping hand, bringing human- itarian assistance just in time.

I feel satisfied, when I know that I’ve helped someone, and made the FArman Davtyan, ARCS volunteer World a little bit better place. Help other people selflessly, without any expectations, as a volunteer, we somehow improve the World, we make it better.

During days of quarantine, people were not to leave their homes, only in case of urgent need, for food or to a hospital. Our Red Cross team was distributing parcels with food and hygiene items helping protect people from getting infected or spreading the virus. I am certain we helped to prevent the spread of the disease.

After long days of running and delivering aid, when I come back home, instead of feeling tired, I feel happy and satisfied, the day was not meaningless. Manvel Kirakosyan, ARCS volunteer photos © Armenian Red Cross Society 4 © Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society

Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society

Azerbaijan Red Crescent as an auxiliary organization to the 96 NS staff and volunteers, as well as the community volunteers public authorities in the humanitarian field provides human- in Ganja, , Lankaran, Astara and Sheki. Awareness itarian assistance to vulnerable people through its network raising and risk communication work is activated in all regional composed of Headquarters, the Autonomous branches. 926,000 information materials on COVID-19 preven- Republic Committee, eight regional centres, 92 local and field tion were produced by AzRC based on materials shared by the branches and primary organizations. The National Society has IFRC developed by the WHO and distributed in-country. This about 300,000 members and over 22,000 registered volunteers is an increase by some 900,000 materials in the last 10 days. of which nearly 6,000 are active. The AzRC is the member of the Risk Communication group established the by WHO country office and which consists of All humanitarian activities supporting efforts of public author- some international agencies and state organizations. Through ities against COVID-19 that Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society created WhatsUp groups active and regular awareness work on undertakes are done under the slogan “We are stronger COVID-19, hand washing, risk reduction goes with 95 migrant together”. families through the AzRC Migration department.

From 28 March till 04 May April, the AzRC provided 9,423 vul- Additional information and news about the work of Red nerable households, including lonely older people, people with Crescent Society of Azerbaijan can be found here. disabilities, migrant families with relief parcels consisting of essential food and non-food support and providing social ser- The AzRC established a hotline in Baku on the basis of its head- vices in Baku and 53 locations across the country. This support quarters. From 27th March to 4th May, over 4,553 phone calls included donations from Turkish Cooperation and Coordination were received through this hotline. The is a weekly increase Agency (TIKA), one of the largest supermarket chains Bravo, by some 553 calls. Branches also receive regular phone calls. ARAZ, donations from private companies and own financial To-date around 35,200 calls were received, which represents resources of the AzRC in the amount exceeding EUR. More a weekly increase by 4,200 calls. The main concern was information in the section Partners and Donors below. expressed by people who have no income since the quarantine and need humanitarian support and from people who have to To date 1438 volunteers across the country have been involved stay home and have no one to help with shopping. Considering in the response and received training. 360 volunteers have been strict movement restrictions, the AzRC uses these hotlines and recruited, trained and supported to act during the last 8 days. phone calls as an opportunity to deliver risk communication Online COVID-19, PSS, Healthy lifestyle training was provided to messages, to discuss protective measures and how to stay 5

physically safe as well as emotionally safe. Generally, people AzRC signed an agreement with LiderMed-LLC that regularly express appreciation for this information and an opportunity provides AzRC HQ office with sanitizer liquids and involves its to discuss their concerns and anxieties. 150 employees as volunteers.

The AzRC keeps regular contacts with Government agencies Azerbaijan Red Crescent is supported technically and financially (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Emergency Situations), local in the planning, implementation and management of COVID-19 authorities in Baku and the regions and international orga- response by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red nizations and UN agencies (e.g. WHO, UNICEF) in order to Crescent Societies. With support from the ICRC, the AZRCS and coordinate activities and clarify mutual areas of involvement. the IFRC cooperate in developing a mental health and psycho- Regular update about the National Society’s activities and initia- social support module to be provided to staff and volunteers tives are shared with relevant Government authorities. of AzRC. ICRC health specialists supported the AzRCS to con- duct online session for NS volunteers on COVID-19 for the Partners and Donors of Azerbaijan Emergency Mobile Volunteers teams (EMVTs). Red Crescent Society Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society is grateful to UNICEF for the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society jointly with one of the largest collaboration that started recently and focusing on risk com- supermarket networks in country Bravo through five supermar- munication with young generation and their communities ket locations in Baku and with support of its staff and volunteers on COVID-19 and psychosocial aspects of the pandemic in collected, sorted, packaged and distributed food items to 212 Azerbaijan. vulnerable households in Baku. This work has had a strong resonance in the society and will continue. This week packages were collected for 40 families. Meet volunteers of Azerbaijan Red Crescent With in-kind donation from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), 1,500 lonely older people received Orkhan Mekhdiyev is a long-time volunteer with the food parcels and hygiene kits in Baku and cities. Both Lolcal Branch of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent organisations are currently discussing to increase this support Society and joined the Red Crescent campaign ‘Let’s unite and so far TIKA is planning to provide 600 households with to tackle COVID-19 together. Let’s help older people stay food parcels. at home’ from the first days. ‘I am collecting and packing food items donated by people, and then I deliver them Thanks to six big supermarket networks of “Bravo”, “Araz”, to the houses of older people living alone together with “Bolmart”, “Grandmarket”, “Bazarstore” and “Rahatmarket” my volunteer friends. “ in Baku, Sumgayit and Ganja, AzRC successfully implements a humanitarian campaign whereby buyers are encouraged to Orkhan Mekhdiyev, Volunteer of Azerbaijan Red Crescent do an extra purchase to help provide food to older people. The campaign is run under the slogan “Let’s unite to tackle COVID-19 together. Let’s help older people stay at home” and contrib- uted to the provision of food and non-food support to over 9,423 households, which represents a weekly increase by over 2,000 households. The campaign will continue for the whole quarantine period. TISA the International School in Azerbaijan, a long-term partner of AzRC, provided food parcels support for 30 vulnerable households and attracted 55 non-remunerated blood donor volunteers. The AzRC appreciates support from the Bank Respublika for 100 households in Terter, Aghdam and regions via its Barda Branch. Jointly and with support of colleagues from ICRC distribution was carried out. © Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society Based on established good cooperation on local level, “Azertechnoline” LLC and “HydroConstruction Service” LLC pro- vided humanitarian assistance to more than 200 elderly alone people registered by Sumgayit city branch and Nizami district branch of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society. 6

Georgia Red Cross Society

The Georgia Red Cross Society (GRCS) is at the forefront of the GRCS is organizing a campaign to support the lonely older humanitarian response to the current crisis, acting within its people living in Georgia. Customers in different hypermarkets mandate as auxiliary to the public authorities. With the help of are encouraged to buy products from the special list developed volunteers and 39 regional branches throughout the country, by the GRCS and to donate it for older people. Over 42,000 GRCS is carrying out important activities in close cooperation parcels have already been collected at the supermarkets with State authorities. Georgia wide.

Over 2.5 mil people reached through printed and online media, Georgia Red Cross Society is supporting relevant institutions active appearance on TV channels, online training, and informa- in thermo-screening - regular body temperature monitoring is tion sessions. conducted by the Georgia Red Cross volunteers of the quaran- tined people in Adjara. Over 42,000 older people (aged over 70 years) are being assisted with basic food and hygienic items (over 13 000 older Partners and Donors of the people only in Tbilisi). The goal is to reach 100,000 vulnerable Georgia Red Cross older people throughout Georgia. In these difficult times the effectiveness of GRCS is very much Up to 1,000 persons with specific needs receive home care increased through collaborations with donors. Urgent help services with support of Red Cross home care teams. is required to respond adequately to the pandemic. Georgia Red Cross Society launched an online campaign and sent out Home Care online learning platform and mobile application is the COVID-19 APPEAL to various potential corporate part- being created to train home care teams and reach more people ners, foreign missions, and NGOs in order to ask for much in need throughout the country. The goal is to reach 3,000 needed support. people throughout Georgia To demonstrate its support to Georgia Red Cross Society, Georgia Red Cross Society continues serving Georgian commu- Turkish Red Crescent Society sent humanitarian cargo which nities in these turbulent times with the invaluable support of included tents for the field hospital and personal protective 5,000 regular and 4,200 spontaneous volunteers. equipment for GRCS volunteers.

Through the GRCS hotline (0 800 000 018) and the Psychological Support from the IFRC, Danish RC, Austrian RC, DFID and USAID Social Support (PSS) platform GRCS volunteers have provided through IFRC Appeal continues. PSS support to more than 2,000 people. 21 PSS staff and volun- teers of the GRCS are involved in providing this service.

To strengthen and expand the PSS services, GRCS initiated a Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support coordination platform for organizations and professional groups involved in providing PSS. The platform currently has around 20 NGOs participating in it. The aim of this initiative is to share informa- tion, experience and lessons learned between key actors and support the maximum number of vulnerable people who need such help.

Georgia Red Cross Society continues to raise awareness regarding the COVID-19 pandemic on social media platforms. Recently GRCS published its recommendations to persons in self-isolation in Abkhazian language as well.

Promotion of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation con- tinues by GRCS to highlight the need of blood specifically in the time of outbreak. Special video and a poster have been created

as promotional materials. People approach the hotline to get © Georgia Red Cross the detailed information about the blood donation facilities. 7 © Armenian Red Cross Society

IFRC Actions

The IFRC COVID-19 Health Help Desk for National Societies was IFRC PS Centre is developing a series of Psychological First Aid operational for its first week. A guidance note was prepared (PFA) online webinars and guiding material to support grieving regarding epidemic ‘waves’ and the role of sustained public processes. Together with World Vision and the IFRC CP the PS health measures to guide IFRC and NS policies and approaches Centre is also involved in adapting material and activities that over the coming weeks and months. can be used for children and caregivers as well as developing materials to be used for children who are back in schools. The The IFRC Psychosocial Support Centre and several National IFRC is contributing to MHPSS guidelines for older adults devel- Societies have produced tools and guidance material for vari- oped by the IASC Reference Group on MHPSS. ous target groups and in a number of languages. These tools and guidance material can be downloaded from the IFRC PS IFRC continues to strengthen interagency coordination Centre website. Increasing number of National Societies are structures together with UNICEF, and WHO with GOARN and requesting webinars and information on self-care, caring for proactively participating in technical sub-groups to agree on staff & volunteers and caring for the first line responders to global Risk Communication and Community Engagement mitigate the potential consequences of Covid19 and prevent actions and recommendation. A COVID19 CEA webpage has burnout amongst first line responders. The IFRC PS Centre is been finalized providing information about implemented activ- planning a few podcasts addressing the topics of caring for staff ities, reports and updates. and volunteers. 8 © Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society

How we work

All IFRC assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for The IFRC’s work is guided by Strategy 2020 which puts forward the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and three strategic aims: Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) in Disaster Relief and the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in 1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most from disaster and crises. vulnerable. 2. Enable healthy and safe living. The IFRC’s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National 3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human and peace. suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.

For more information please contact:

Armenian Red Cross Society Georgian Red Cross Society Mariana Harutyunyan Nino Burtikashvili Head of International Affairs Dept Deputy Secretary General email: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] phone +374 93 554 963 phone: +995 577 23 00 28

Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society IFRC Country Cluster Support Team Sabina Mahbubi- for Southern Caucasus Deputy Secretary General Olga Dzhumaeva email: [email protected] Head of Country Cluster Support Team phone: +994 504 901 205 email: [email protected] phone: +995 591 703 273