ZAM Jesuits Covid-19 response focus on vulnerable

SUN REPORTER writes THE Jesuits in Zambia-Malawi Province (ZAM) have launched the Jesuits Relief Covid-19 response aimed at helping the underprivileged combat Covid-19, as well as health workers in the front line fighting the disease. Zambia’s coronavirus cases have seen a recent surge, with cumulative cases at 252 and 7 deaths as at yesterday, many corporates and community initiatives have come on board to aid Government activities in curbing the spread of the deadly virus. The initiative was recently launched at Saint Ignatius Parish Church in Lusaka with Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya officiating at the event. “The strategic objectives of this appeal are in line with the measures the government continues to put in place to address the adverse effects of the pandemic. As the Ministry responsible for health, we are pleased to learn that the first objective of the appeal is to support public health responses to contain the spread of COVID-19 by distributing necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), sensitisation of communities and accompaniment of health and other frontline workers,” Dr Chilufya said. “The Jesuit Emergency Appeal’s complementary role to Government effort is gratifying as it has a holistic approach to the pandemic and is apart from providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable and those most at risk by providing public awareness on COVID-19 using multiple platforms,” the Health Minister said. Fr. Leonard Chiti, the Provincial Leader of the Society of Jesus for Zambia-Malawi (ZAM) Province expressed concern at the devastating effect Covid-19 presented. “We are taking food to the poor because we notice that they are completely powerless and under the current circumstances there is no social protection being provided for the vulnerable and poor,” Fr Chiti said. “Many in our compounds have no running water, have inadequate and poor housing and have no sanitation facilities and systems.” “The effects of Covid-19 have been devastating for people around the world, more so, the less privileged in the community. Sources of income have been lost leaving many unable to feed themselves or their families,” Fr Chiti said. “One of the objectives of the ZamJesuits Covid-19 Response initiatives is to provide relief to boys and girls in the examination classes by providing supplementary and revision classes.  “These classes are meant to bridge the gap created by the sudden indefinite closure of schools in Zambia. The target: the Grade 9 and 12 pupils living on the margins of the society. These are those pupils who do not have the means to online education platforms.”  The ZAM Jesuits have made an appeal to members of the public to help the funding of this service to enable those that need to sit for important examinations like Grade 9s and 12s prepare and revise for their exams. The appeal also targets at-risk communities across thematic areas of response including Public Health, Education (Southern Province), Risk Communication and Community Engagement, WASH, Social Protection, Nutrition and Food Relief and Immediate Economic Support and Advocacy. The Sun