Save the Child Initiative Abuja office carried out a need assessment on Coronavirus (COVID) on 22 May 2020 at Jikoko and Shishimpe 1 and 2 communities of Bwari Area Council of FCT Abuja. The assessment in Jikoko community witnessed the participation of 50 community stakeholders consisting of 24 males and 26 females while the assessment in the Shishimpe community witnessed the participation of 50 community stakeholders consisting of 25 males and 25 females. The result of the 2 communities are shared below
ANALYSIS OF THE ASSESSMENT IN JIKOKO COMMUNITY:
50 community stakeholders consisting of 26 males (52%) and 24 females (48%) were interviewed during the assessment. Stakeholders interviewed include women group, youth group, traditional leaders, religious leaders and other community influencers. It was discovered that 29% of the stakeholders interviewed have little knowledge on COVID 19 while the remaining 71% don’t have knowledge. It was also discovered that there was loss of sources of income, poor or no sales of stock/ farm produce stored, downsizing of daily meals or living without meals for parents so children can feed leading to malnutrition, inability to access health care services due to lack of money, use of herbs or self -medication where the need arises while a large number of the youth depend on alcohol as they believe it will help to kill the virus (COVID 19). There are increase in cases of domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy and young men absconding from home to avoid confrontations with their wives as they are unable to provide for their families.
ANALYSIS OF THE ASSESSMENT IN SHISHIMPE COMMUNITY:
50 community stakeholders consisting of 25 males (50%) and 25 females (50%) were interviewed during the assessment. Stakeholders interviewed include women group, youth group, traditional leaders, religious leaders and other community influencers. It was discovered that 27% of the stakeholders interviewed have little knowledge on COVID 19 while the remaining 73% don’t have. It was also discovered that there was loss of sources of income, poor or no sales of stock/ farm produce stored, downsizing of daily meals or living without meals for parents so children can feed leading to malnutrition, inability to access health care services due to lack of money, use of herbs or self -medication where the need arises while a large number of the youth depend on alcohol as they believe it will help to kill the virus (COVID 19). There are increase in cases of domestic violence. unwanted pregnancy and young men absconding from their homes to avoid confrontations with their wives as they are unable to provide for their families.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Organize sensitization programs for community stakeholders on COVID 19 in Jikoko and Shishimpe communities of Bwari Area Council of FCT Abuja in line with the preventive measures put in place by the federal government and WHO.
- Identify households seriously affected and link them to palliative programs initiated by the federal government to cushion the effect of the pandemic
- Organize sensitization programs on Gender-Based Violence in Jikoko and Shishimpe communities of Bwari Area Council of FCT Abuja.
