IOM Azerbaijan supports protection measures against COVID-19 among vulnerable communities
Baku - With the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of clean and safe water sources and hygiene facilities poses a higher health risk for communities and vulnerable groups in rural areas. As part of IOM Azerbaijan and KOICA’s effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and encourage communities to participate in basic prevention measures, IOM Azerbaijan started distributing COVID-19 prevention posters in the villages of Banovshalar and Sharov in Aghdam and Goranboy districts. The purpose is to raise awareness of COVID-19 and provide residents with the necessary and accurate information on how to keep community members and their families healthy and safe. The posters feature general information on COVID-19, the importance of hand washing, countering discrimination and xenophobia and using face masks.
Apart from the distribution of posters, COVID-19 prevention training and sanitation items (disposable masks and hand sanitizers) are planned to be provided to members of 40 communities in eight project target areas once the government's lockdown measures are eased. In the meantime, copies of COVID-19 posters have been emailed to members of the Water User Committee (WUC).
The above mentioned four-year project aims to provide safe and consistent water supplies to over 8,000 families in rural areas of Aghdam, Aghjabedi, Barda, Fuzuli, Ganja, Gazakh, Goranboy and Goygol districts through the renovation of over 40 kahrizes – a man-made, centuries-old, traditional water-supply system that does not need electricity or fossil fuel to operate. In addition to the renovation of kahrizes, the project also aims to strengthen the sustainability of the communities, create jobs and improve education.
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