CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE AND LOCAL PARTNERS BRING SOLUTIONS TO REMOTE AREAS
In light of the significant impacts of COVID-19 on impoverished and remote communities , CAI has been working closely with local partners since the crisis began to identify the greatest needs and solutions to address them . ( See " The COVID crisis offers a silver lining for out-of-school children in Pakistan ," pg . 8 )
In Afghanistan , Pakistan , and Tajikistan , CAI ’ s partners have been implementing a series of COVID emergency response activities to prevent the virus ’ s spread and address the health and economic impacts on the most vulnerable people . This spring , CAI ’ s partners began distributing PPE , COVID testing kits , masks , and other vital supplies to healthcare workers and first responders .
Given the critical need to help fight the disease ’ s spread , our partners have launched information campaigns and activities to promote good hygiene , including field visits to targeted villages and widespread distribution of informational materials . Educational radio programs have played a key role in helping us reach far-flung communities . In two provinces in Afghanistan , for example , CAI ’ s partner has been broadcasting daily one-hour discussions along with short radio spots about COVID-19 , women ’ s rights , and other topics . Our partners have distributed hygiene promotion kits to thousands of vulnerable women , men , and children and established public hand-washing points in villages .
CAI-supported projects also targeted the less visible , yet equally lethal , impacts of COVID-19 . Violence against women and children was already an enormous issue in Central Asia before the pandemic hit . As was the case all over the world , the virus and associated lockdowns in Afghanistan , Pakistan , and Tajikistan resulted in a sharp increase in domestic violence , as well as mental health challenges , especially
among children . CAI-supported public information campaigns included information on women ’ s rights , the importance of mental health care , and the prevention of domestic violence .
In the months ahead , as impoverished communities in Central Asia continue to battle the pandemic , CAI will continue to support and adapt our programs and activities . Our aim is to help communities , especially those in isolated and underserved mountain villages , overcome the unique challenges they ’ re facing as a result of COVID-19 .
None of these lifesaving activities could have been possible without the dedicated and generous support of CAI ’ s donors . When we launched our COVID-19 Emergency Response program in April , the disease was rampant and getting worse in the United States . Knowing that so many Americans were being hit hard physically , financially , and emotionally by the crisis , the generous response of donors like you blew us away . We were awed by the compassion and caring of people who themselves were being impacted in scary ways . Your acts of kindness are further proof that together , we can adapt and endure in the face of new challenges .
But we ’ re not out of the woods yet . Looking ahead , the people of Central Asia will continue to face significant challenges as they battle this pandemic . There ’ s a long way to go before everyone receives accurate information about the virus , has access to timely testing , and can obtain affordable , high-quality medical care . But the innovative responses of our partners and the resilience of the Central Asian people give us hope . And with your continued support , there ’ s nothing that can stand in our way .
Dr . Shefajo echoes this sentiment , and embodies it as she continues to put her life on the line : “ Now is the time for us , all the people of the world , to unite , to keep the hope alive and our spirits up . To be kind to each other .” a
For people living in remote mountain towns , credible public information about the virus is hard to come by . Without access to the internet , television , or newspapers , many of these villagers are unaware of how serious this pandemic is and have no information about how to avoid infection . And misinformation about the virus is common . In Tajikistan , for example , the government resisted acknowledging the spread of COVID-19 for several months and promoted the idea that unusual illnesses springing up around the country were pneumonia cases . Downplaying the severity of the situation led many people to disregard warnings to socially distance or take additional precautions .
1 National Command and Operation Center ( 2020 , July 31 ). Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan . https :// ncoc . gov . pk / facilities /
2 Id .
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