Bangladesh Red Crescent Society - Corona Virus COVID-19 Situation Report 2, (25 March 2020)

Response from Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) & Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Partners

Two emergency coordination meeting took place on 23 and 24 March 2020 at BDRCS NHQ.

Youth & volunteers department will continue distributing leaflets containing life-saving (hand washing practice and cough etiquette) awareness messages through RCY volunteers of all 68 units of BDRCS.

On 22 March 2020, a Facebook live show was organized from BDRCS to aware people with key messages as well as live Q&A. 22000+ viewers were reached by 24 March. BDRCS Facebook page has more than 210,000 direct followers. Two videos (video1, video2) being disseminated through facebook that contains life-saving messages, Do’s & Don’ts and BDRCS actions.

Deployed RCY Volunteer teams are in the field to support the initiatives of disinfection spraying at public transports and selected hospitals. Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital (HFRCMH) prepared an isolation unit for RCY volunteers who will work in COVID-19 response Besides volunteer teams are preparing ten thousand personal hygiene kits for 68 Units/ Branches of BDRCS.

Midwives from all 56 MCH centers, approximately 400 staff and volunteers got orientation on COVID-19.

In this health emergency, BDRCS is working collaboratively with public authority and Bidyaonondo Foundation. BDRCS already provided an ambulance as well as assigned a driver to Director General of Health Services (DGHS) for its COVID-19 response. During 23-24 March 2020, 10 RCY volunteers worked in 7 hospitals of Dhaka city out of selected 14 hospitals to disinfect spots where mass people gathers. A number of initiatives has been undertaken in Cox’s Bazar through Population Movement Operation (PMO) to reduce the risk of coronavirus. Actions and plans of Health sector and WASH sector are as follows:

Health Sector actions and plan:

15 Medical staff, 12 Community Mobilizers (health) and 15 Community Volunteers (CVs) were oriented on COVID

185 CVs are engaged in disseminating messages on COVID 19 visiting door to door in camps area.

Hand sanitizer, tissue and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) have been provided to all Health Facilities.

WASH Sector actions and plan:

Orientation and training were provided to community mobilizers, community volunteers, WASH personnel and staff of PNSs. Live-saving messages dissemination has been continuing in camp since the beginning of the emergency. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer and tissue provided to all health facilities.

Response from Government of Bangladesh (GoB)

For DGHS provided latest information on COVID-19 situation in Bangladesh, please visit database link: http://103.247.238.81/webportal/pages/covid19.php

For detail information, please visit the following govt. link: http://corona.gov.bd/?fbclid=IwAR1sP579GwyYe JP-Zxee1aWwM2HvPUSdn- 1_jr3nICbcT1lrYklE9HQHVTs

For latest decisions and campaign on COVID-19 from Ministry of Health, Government of Bangladesh: http://corona.gov.bd/

For COVID-19 situation update from Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR): https://www.iedcr.gov.bd/index.php/component/content/article/73-ncov-2019

Contact Information:

For further information please contact following persons at BDRCS National Headquarters:

Md. Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General, BDRCS. Cell:+8801811458500 | Email: secretarygeneral@bdrcs.org

Md. Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Secretary General, BDRCS. Cell: +8801811458501 | Email: rafiqul.islam@bdrcs.org

Dr. Shahana Zafor, Director, Dept. of Health, BDRCS. Cell: +8801811458532 | Email: shahana.zafor@bdrcs.org