Zanzibar: 30 June 2020

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Tanzania, the United Nations (UN) Migration Agency donated handwashing facilities to several Points of Entries (PoE’s) around Pemba and Unguja islands during the last two weeks.

The donation of handwashing facilities is made following a request from Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in line with recommendations made assessments carried out at PoE's by IOM and the MoH of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar with the financial support of the Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom (UK).

The assessments in Zanzibar focused on preparedness and readiness for COVID-19 at strategic PoEs and nearby health facilities as well as referral pathways with the aim of supporting the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in implementing the Preparedness and Response Action Plan for the COVID-19 Pandemic (April – December 2020).

“The provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene are  essential parts of prevention efforts during infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19", said the IOM Chief of Mission (CoM) in the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Qasim Sufi.

Additionally, IOM is in the process of donating protective equipment, non-touch thermometers and other supplies to prioritized PoEs and health facilities in Zanzibar.

Lastly, IOM will continue enhancing the capacity of MoH of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in implementing the developed protocols for hand hygiene that are fit-for-purpose of meeting the needs of mobile populations including migrants as well as local communities in Zanzibar.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Andrew William at wandrew@iom.int or tel.: +255754 663 910

Ms Sarah Abdalla at sabdalla@iom.int or tel.: +255679 869 099