Canada-Africa Initiative to Address Maternal Newborn and Child Mortality - COVID-19 Response

This project aims to reduce maternal neonatal and child mortality in select communities by working with local health authorities and supporting the use of an integrated approach focused on health nutrition and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The project is also providing additional funds in response to the immediate needs of the COVID-19 pandemic by training and supporting health care workers reaching communities on critical health topics and providing water sanitation and hygiene supplies to health facilities and communities. Project activities include: (1) training and supporting health care workers to respond to COVID-19 and sexual and gender-based violence; (2) developing and implementing community engagement strategies on COVID-19 that integrate prevention of sexual and gender-based violence; and (3) supporting health facilities and communities with critical water sanitation and hygiene supplies. The COVID-19 activities are expected to directly benefit 676 794 individuals (including 380 949 women and girls) comprised of health care workers community health workers and other community agents.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this initiative include: (1) improved delivery of essential health services to mothers pregnant women newborns and children under five; (2) improved utilization of essential health services by mothers pregnant women newborns and children under five; and (3) increased consumption of nutritious foods and supplements by mothers pregnant women newborns and children under five.