Recording of Session 2: Safety First, Operations a Close Second
Video
Overview
This session answers questions related to your organization's continuity during COVID-19, including how to adjust programming and activities.
Session Speakers
Moderator: Khadijah Moore, Women Deliver Young Leader
Panelists
- Hala Al-Khair, UNFPA, Reproductive Health Officer
- Sarah Ashraf, Save the Children, Director, Maternal, Newborn and Reproductive Health in Emergencies
- Eden Getachew, IRC, Health Coordinator for WISH
- Argaw Korssa, IRC, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager
Answers to the questions that were asked during the presentation are available.
Key Takeaways
In an effort to ensure youth-led and community-based organizations are able to continue to serve young people with SRHR information and services, FP2020 and IAWG have put together this crisis-management workshop series on organizational resilience during crises for YLOs and CBOs. This is a summary of session 2. Find more information here and here.
COMMUNICATE WITH DONORS – IF YOU DON’T ASK, YOU DON’T GET
- Do some internal reflection before talking to donors about expected shifts. Come prepared with what mitigation measures are needed. Be flexible, realistic, and clear about what you’re asking of your donor.
- Don’t make any changes without approval. Understand what is allowed to be covered by your donor—some won’t cover PPE, for example. Keep good documentation of communication, especially verbal conversations.
BALANCE SRH SERVICES AND OTHER PARTNER PRIORITIES
- Keep advocating with local governments to ensure SRH services remain essential. Work with youth network or coalitions in countries, and with other sectors (such as nutrition) to keep activities going.
- Explore other funding opportunities, such as opening a credit line. Sign up for updates from organizations such as FP2020 and IAWG who regularly share funding opportunities.
- Focus on implementing telemedicine and virtual counseling, as well as self-care methods.
TRIAGE ACTIVITIES BASED ON SAFETY
- All of them. Use existing frameworks, such as the United Nations Programme Criticality (PC) Framework to triage lifesaving services — the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) Resources is another tool.
- Assess risks to your staff and the community. Set up handwashing stations, physical distancing measures and a waiting room, monitor staff health, inform staff on what to do if they have symptoms or come into contact with someone with symptoms, etc. Figure out practical steps on how to do this as safely as possible.
- Engage your community. Set up feedback mechanisms for stakeholders to express their fears, needs, etc. on accessing SRH services.
CONTINUE COMMUNITY SERVICES SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY
- Designate a lead that is the organization's main POC for COVID questions and concerns. Provide guidance on what to do if you have COVID, symptoms, or come in contact with someone who tested positive.
- Think about the literacy of your audience and communicate in the method that they prefer. Use SMS if possible, WhatsApp, set up hotlines, and utilize mentoring tools.
- Use existing outlets in the community to get services to women and girls, but make sure it is SAFE. Help facilities ensure safety, and advise them on screening and triaging. Make sure your client/target audience knows about the outlets and SRH services available!
GET CREATIVE WITH SRH PROGRAMMING
- Integrate with other health services so people can get multiple health services in one place. Utilize existing local partnerships, such as GBV and HIV initiatives. Partner with government agencies to provide COVID tests.
- Offer free virtual counseling, particularly for adolescents and youth. Inform them of their rights, what services are open, and where they can access services (public and private).
- Get creative with how you deliver information. Partner with local radio stations to share information on services, safety measures, rights/SRHR, and other information.
- Utilize community resources, WhatsApp groups, Facebook groups, and other interactive social media platforms to connect with other young people and help them access services. Engage churches and religious leaders to make sure community messages reach the largest audience.