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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, Azerbaijan 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. Baku, 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, Mingachevir, Lankaran, Astara and Sheki.