COVID-19 Response

Sector Briefing

BRSP’s multi-pronged strategy to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Balochistan

As COVID-19 continues to spread, the present as well future has never felt so unpredictable. These are challenging times for us all. BRSP is doing everything possible to sustain daily operations and provide services to the poverty-stricken population of Balochistan.  While there’s a lot of uncertainty, we know that we need to adapt fast to our changing reality. Now, more than ever, the people of Balochistan need us.

BRSP has formulated a comprehensive multi-pronged strategy to combat the spread of COVID-19 by activating multi-sectoral, multi-partner coordination mechanisms to support preparedness and response with provincial authorities and key partners to develop a Balochistan specific emergency operational plan. BRSP has planned the following interventions in the district of Quetta.

  • Mass awareness-raising campaign on COVID-19 and Infection Prevention and Control in Quetta and the districts with COVID-19 cases. BRSP in collaboration with the district administration will provide masks and vital COVID-19 information to some 30,000 shopkeepers, hawkers, local businessmen through loudspeaker announcements as well as pictorial leaflets to iterate the importance of wearing a mask and ensuring social distancing to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus.
  • BRSP jointly carried out fumigation in Quetta city jointly with Metropolitan corporation. Coronavirus Disinfectant Sprays have been tested against existing enveloped viruses and have been proven to be effective at destroying those germs. Fumigation is a proactive way of cleaning the environment to reduce the rapid spread of the virus.
  • Al-Khidmat trust is a not-for-profit organization with a countrywide geographical footprint and has extensive experience in emergency response. Al-Khidmat to date has responded to 15 major disasters and humanitarian emergencies. Al-Khidmat will fumigate all mosques and other places which are used for large religious gatherings.
  • BRSP in collaboration with the district administration supported the Health Department in Infection Prevention and Control interventions by provision of medicine, Personal Protect Equipment (PPEs) for the frontline health workers, ventilators and diagnostic/testing kits to strengthen the curative side COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Improvement of Water Sanitation and Hygiene facilities in District Head Quarters as well, Quarantine centers throughout Quetta.
  • Organizing mobile camps
  • Initiating Need Assessment and Gap Analysis exercise for better response to COVID-19
  • Establishment of information cells supported better data management and avoiding overlapping of interventions.
  • Providing access to livelihood support interventions such (Community Investment Fund and Income Generating Grants.
  • Provision of Food/ration packages to poorest Households.
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The emergency response strategy has been operationalized through mapping of all union councils in Quetta and identifying the most vulnerable populations and a  total of 22 teams have been formulated to cover all union councils in Quetta. These designated teams have been trained and will serve as the spokespeople of the district administration and the Government of Balochistan. The Chief Minister of Balochistan has made it mandatory for the public to wear masks including small business owners, shopkeepers, and street hawkers. Shops and businesses will be sealed if the instructions issued by the Chief Minister are not followed in true letter and spirit. 

A very important segment of the awareness campaign is to reiterate the use of masks and the importance of frequent handwashing. BRSP has also reviewed the regulatory requirements and legal basis of all potential public healthmeasures. BRSP will use and disseminate lessons learned during the emergency response to inform future preparedness and responseactivities as well course correction of the current emergency response.

BRSP’s interventions will spread awareness, ensure protection through the use of masks and to strengthen the curative side of COVID-19 by equipping health facilities by providing testing kits and personal protection equipment. BRSP is starting the campaign with Quetta but we will eventually expand its emergency response across Balochistan

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Highlights of BRSP’s response to COVID-19 in Balochistan

BRSP successfully spearheaded the efforts of awareness raising throughout Balochistan and successfully reached 40,000 people across the province. Additionally, BRSP distributed IEC material in 26 districts to promote awareness and Behavioral Change Communication. Furthermore, BRSP established mobile handwashing units in public places to encourage handwashing practices. Since 50% of Balochistan’s population lives below the poverty line, therefore BRSP complemented the efforts of the Government of Balochistan by using its huge geographical footprint to identify the poorest of the poor for the Prime Minister’s EHSAAS Programme.