UNHCR is concerned about strengthening protection against the COVID-19 pandemic in all areas of intervention, particularly in Brazzaville, Impfondo, Betou and Bouemba. A total of 20,000 face masks were made by members of the refugee and host communities as part of a cash-for-work project and distributed to some 20,000 vulnerable people. The funds generated by the cash-for-work project have enabled eight people to start small businesses and become self-sufficient. Sensitization sessions on social distancing for refugees and host communities helped to strengthen understanding of the transmission of the disease and strategies to protect against it. In support of the public authorities, 60 removable shelters were built in 20 COVID-19 isolation centres. Thanks to awareness raising about COVID-19 prevention and transmission and the distribution of masks and sanitizers, the spread of the pandemic was slowed in intervention areas.
