image2 16.07.2020

BELMED project and Belarusian Red Cross against COVID-19

Back in spring, the European Union-financed BELMED project joined its efforts with the Belarusian Red Cross partners in combating the coronavirus spread and providing assistance to the most vulnerable categories. In their cooperation, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, the European Union Delegation to Belarus and the UN agencies have managed to coordinate their efforts and support the Belarusian Red Cross activities: since April 2020, they have provided assistance totalling to more than 170,000 euros.

Personal protective equipment: 43,000 masks; 6,000 coveralls; 1,000 litres of antiseptic; 158,511 pairs of gloves; 205,260 shoe covers; 40,304 respirators; and 353 reusable medical suits have been procured to ensure safe operation of the personnel and volunteers. The personal protective equipment enables the nurses of Dapamoha Medico-Social Service to provide home care to severely ill patients, and the volunteers – to deliver food, medicines and other essential supplies to senior citizens and self-isolating persons. In total, the volunteers made 30,312 deliveries and provided assistance to 25,000 Belarusians from the end of March to mid-June.

In the situation, when the essential preventative information has to be delivered to a large number of people, Belarusian Red Cross made use of the BELMED communications experience. The information materials have been developed, and 199,000 leaflets have been printed to provide basic recommendations to such vulnerable audience, as the elderly, among others. The #МолодыеПожилым (YoungToElderly) online action has been conducted in support of people aged 60+; support has been provided to the Good Phone helpline that offers psycho-social and information support to all callers. It is provided by 24 specially trained volunteers. The Good Phone has received 1,200 calls since the beginning of its operation.

Another component of the cooperation between Belarusian Red Cross and BELMED project comprised the support of the 13 coordinators’ work with volunteers who are dealing with and coordinating their activities with organisations of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus on the regional level; they recruit the volunteers, organize and support their activities.

The partnership between Belarusian Red Cross and BELMED project is a continuation of the long-standing cooperation between the largest humanitarian organisation of Belarus and European Union Delegation to Belarus. A number of projects promoting civil society participation and fostering the potential for greater employability are being implemented now.

BELMED project is financed by the European Union and co-implemented by UNDP, WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA in partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus.