Humanitarian Response on COVID-19 in Pakistan www.muslimaid.org.pk Humanitarian Response on COVID-19 in Pakistan March - August 2020 The Communications & Influencing department disseminates information related to humanitarain and development work of Muslim Aid in Pakistan. The findings, views, and opinions expressed in this booklet are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the Muslim Aid and its affiliated organizations and partners, or those of the Executive Directors of Muslim Aid. Produced by the Compiled & Designed by Communications & Influencing Qasim Ali Khawaja (Lead) Muhammad Ubaid Ullah (Support) Manager Communications & Influencing Programme Officer (Humanitarian) Department [email protected] [email protected] Muslim Aid Pakistan Muslim Aid Pakistan Executive Summary Staying apart but still working together. 2020 was a year of disruptions. The world demic seriously – life continues as per routine. oped and shared over traditional and social faced an unprecedented crisis - Coronavirus The virus spread across Pakistan within no time; media to cater large audiences. The campaign Contents Disease (COVID-19); exacerbating inequalities surging positive number of cases. In an effort to reached more than 1 million people across and sufferings of the vulnerable segments of mitigate the spread, the Government decided Pakistan. the societies across the globe. Comparative- to impose smart lockdowns in epicenters of ly, Pakistan responded to this unique health the virus. The new virus badly damaged the so- Under the WASH sector, Muslim Aid provid- Executive Summary 03 pandemic better than others in the region. All cio-economic fabric of the country; exacerbat- ed hygiene kits to affected population at the humanitarian actors including the Government ing economic inequality and pushing people health facilities and communities. Handwashing Muslim Aid Pakistan 04 and civil society worked in close coordination below the poverty line. When the business stations were installed at public hospitals, mar- COVID-19 Situation in Pakistan 06 to carry out a nimble emergency response; activity stalled, daily bread earners struggled kets and other localities where public pres- saving lives and protecting communities. with hunger. ence could not be restrained. A total of 18,360 individuals benefitted. Awareness materials Compassion Beyond Boundaries Campaign 08 Muslim Aid initiated life-saving response Amid this dire situation, Muslim Aid reached were displayed to raise awareness around Response Outreach Snapshot 10 as soon as first COVID-19 positive case was out to affected 17,850 number of households hand hygiene, social distancing etc. reported on 26th February 2020. By joining with ration packs containing uncooked food Humanitarian Response Timeline 12 hands with key implementing partners and enough for a family of seven for a month. Pakistan is a country which is facing recurrent developing partnerships with national and disasters from last few years due to drastic Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations 14 provincial disaster management authorities, a In the meanwhile, procurement of personal climate change including drought, earthquake, comprehensive response plan was prepared. protective equipment was initiated to support floods and heatwaves. This new health crisis Food Security & Livelihood Response 16 Muslim Aid’s headquarters in London immedi- frontline health workers who were relentlessly introduced multiple challenges forcing human- ately mobilized resources to extend support working around the clock to provide essential itarian actors to rethink and reimage their ways Health & Safety Response 34 to the most affected and vulnerable population care to the COVID-19 patients. Muslim Aid sup- of working internally and externally. Ensuing in areas where the country programme has the plied 1,900 PPE kits benefitting 22,050 individuals protection of their staff and safeguarding of the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Response 46 presence. at different public health facilities, nationwide. affected population. Behavioural Change Communication 52 The comprehensive response plan constituted Alongside, food and health supplies, a dedi- During March - August 2020, Muslim Aid was around four sectors which were 1) Food Se- cated behavioural change campaign, ‘Com- able to save 1,158,260 number of individuals curity and Livelihoods, 2) Water Sanitation and passion Beyond Boundaries’ was launched. through its inclusive integrated programming. Hygiene 3) Health and 4) Behavioural Change The prime aim was to educate masses about The organisation is much thankful to its donors, Communications. the pandemic, measures to prevent the spread supporters, partners, and volunteers who have of the virus; wearing mask, maintaining social generously contributed in this battle against Like rest of the countries, the Government of distancing and washing hands for 20 seconds lethal COVID-19. Pakistan was trying to assess the situation and frequently. Creative messaging was drafted possible response. Regardless of the warning based on the information released by World We shall keep this momentum, staying apart and precautionary measures proposed by the Health Organization (WHO) and the Govern- while working together, we will bring peace, health workers, people weren’t taking this pan- ment. Different visual products were devel- prosperity and progress in Pakistan. 4 Muslim Aid’s Humanitarian Response on COVID-19 Muslim Aid’s Humanitarian Response on COVID-19 5 Muslim Aid Pakistan Serving Humanity. Muslim Aid is an international charity organisation registered in Vision Statement the UK (Registered Charity Number 1176462). Working since 1985, Muslim Aid has been serving humanity around the globe as one A world without poverty. of the most extensive Muslim development and humanitarian organisations in the UK. Mission Statement In Pakistan, Muslim Aid started working in 2005. Our strategic thematic working areas are improving integrated water resource Based on our values, we work to enable communities management, access to education, sustainable livelihoods, health, emergency response and resilience building. Our sustainable development. country programme comprising of dedicated experts is always Statement of Values natural calamities or man-induced disasters. As a faith-based International NGO, Muslim Aid draws upon a rich The global organisation currently has a presence in 11 countries heritage of social action and working with various communities to improve the lives of people in need. Muslim Aid commits itself to work including Bangladesh, Bosnia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Leb- with: anon, Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Myanmar and eight partner organisations. • Compassion and justice (Ru’ufun and ‘Adl) in all of our actions • Accountability and transparency (Muhasabah and Shafafyah) in our operations • Action with quality (Amal m’a Jawadah) – our programmes reflect and fill a gap identified by the communities we work with, with longer term actions based upon need and capacity. • Respect for rights, dignity and equal opportunity (Karamah and Sawaseyah) of all peoples • Empowerment (Tamkeen) of communities and individuals for tak- ing charge of their lives 6 Muslim Aid’s Humanitarian Response on COVID-19 Muslim Aid’s Humanitarian Response on COVID-19 7 COVID19 Situation in Pakistan Facing a tumultuous year ahead. The outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by WHO. Within few weeks, the virus originated from Wuhan, China spread to 218 countries and territories. On February 26, Pakistan reported its first case of COVID-19 in the port city of Karachi. Where after there has been an aggressive increase in the numbers. The federal government decided to put the country in a lock down prohibiting mobility, large gathering and taking major steps to Case Load 26 February - 31 August 2020 ensure social distancing. On March 13, 2020, the government of Pakistan developed a National Action Plan (NAP) to prepare to face and manage the COVID-19 outbreak. This NAP became the basis for the government and other humanitarian actors to plan and prioritise the measures to put in place to manage and control the spread of the disease. Through the NAP, quarantine centres in the federal capital and the provinces were mapped out and then formed, special SOPs for travellers were developed and later implemented accordingly. NAP laid the foundation for the designing of compensation packages for the vulnerable populace. Muslim Aid stood in solidarity with nation to protect people. Source: Pakistan Health Advisory Portal by Ministry Of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination https://covid.gov.pk/ 8 Muslim Aid’s Humanitarian Response on COVID-19 Muslim Aid’s Humanitarian Response on COVID-19 9 Campaign Rational #REACH Reconnect, Empower & Adapt against COVID-19 Hazard. The world faced a unique and disturbing crisis where governments have been forced to shut down its borders, markets, schools, institutions, and take many other drastic measures to contain the virus and protect its populace from its impacts. In the wake of this challenging humanitarian crisis Muslim Aid necessitated the means of sharing compassion with the affected and at-risk population in Pakistan. Compassion Beyond Boundaries, an integrated life-saving response was planned immediately. Following WHO and Government of Pakistan’s SOPs, our in-country staff delivered compassion through