IOM Azerbaijan supports protection measures against COVID-19 among vulnerable communities

As part of IOM Azerbaijan and KOICA’s effort to support the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and encourage the communities to participate basic prevention measures, IOM Azerbaijan started distributing the COVID-19 prevention posters in Banovshalar and Sharov villages located in Aghdam and Goranboy districts. The purpose is to raise awareness of COVID-19 and to be equipped with the necessary and accurate information on how to keep community members and their family healthy and safe. The message includes the general information on COVID-19, the importance of hand washing, countering discrimination and xenophobia, and how to use and dispose face masks. 

Alongside with the distribution of the COVID-19 posters, the COVID-19 prevention training and sanitation items (disposable masks and hand sanitizers) are planning to be provided to the beneficiaries in 40 communities in 8 project target areas, once the government lockdown measures are eased and the community trainings are resumed. In the meantime, the soft copies of the COVID-19 posters were distributed to the Water User Committee (WUC) members and local authorities via Internet.   

The above mentioned four-year project aims to provide safe and consistent water supplies for over 8,000 families in rural areas of Aghdam, Aghjabedi, Barda, Fuzuli, Ganja, Gazakh, Goranboy and Goygol districts through the renovation of over 40 kahrizes – a man-made, centuries-old, traditional water-supply system that does not need electricity or fossil fuel to function. In addition to the renovating the kahrizes, the project has components that involve capacity building, business development and a strong engagement with academia.