Awareness campaigns about COVID-19 have reached Muaskar Saad IDP Camp in Diyala Governorate, where one of Niqdar’s volunteer members described the medical situation to be “below average”.
“Our role is predominantly to educate as many people as possible in order to prevent the spread of the virus,” said volunteer member Hussein Al-Assadi.
Niqdar (We Can) volunteer team launched their awareness campaign early this month to increase IDPs’ knowledge of the virus, its symptoms, and the use of preventative measures using simple means such as washing hands frequently and using diluted chlorine to clean.
The campaign was organised and sponsored by the volunteer team, with additional funding coming from community members wishing to support people in the camp. The campaign consisted of distributing awareness brochures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, marks, and sanitisers.
More than 400 families inside Muaskar Saad IDP camp have benefited from this campaign and received guidance from the team on how to protect themselves and their families from the virus. “Most families are not taking the necessary precautions and treating the pandemic too lightly,” said volunteer member Nadia Oubeidi.
Knowing that IDP camps are overcrowded and the virus can spread quickly in these conditions, the volunteer team emphasised the need for physical distancing among residents. With limited health capacities and services inside the camp, the organisers of the campaign pointed out that the most important step to prevent an outbreak inside these communities is to raise the awareness of the people.
