COVID-19 Response: Supporting Communities Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

THE PROBLEM

Knowledge among the general public about basic preventative actions that need to be taken on how to slow down the spread of the virus remains limited. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person. Individuals can also be infected from and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face. While COVID-19 continues to spread it is important that people understand basic information about the virus, how it is transmitted and how to prevent further transmission and reduce the impacts of the outbreak.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 virus is putting great pressure on healthcare facilities, with many facing a shortage of medical supplies such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitizing supplies, according to Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, Bali’s public hospitals and Indonesia’s Doctors Association. This is a real threat that puts health care workers at a high risk of exposure, exerting even more pressure into facilities which are already handling a growing number of cases.

COVID-19 has impacted many businesses, resulting in massive job losses. This means that thousands of people have lost their regular income, and are unable to provide for their and their families’ basic needs. Economic recovery is likely to be a long process, especially in the tourism industry, which so many Balinese rely upon for their livelihoods. There is a need to address basic needs such as provision of nutritious food in the immediate term, and in the mid to longer term to develop and provide sustainable employment opportunities that do not solely rely on the tourism sector. 

THE SOLUTION

We are focusing our support on three key areas: 1. Prevention 2. Emergency Response 3. Livelihood Support 

1. Prevention: Slowing down the spread of COVID-19

Public Education Campaign #AmanDariCovid19
The public education campaign is increasing knowledge among the general public about basic preventative actions that need to be taken to protect themselves against infection and slow down the spread of the virus. All content produced and disseminated is aligned with guidelines from the World Health Organisation as well as the Indonesian Government COVID-19 response. 
Initiative implemented by : Kopernik & Alam Santi with support from many volunteers

Soap Distribution
Washing hands frequently with soap and water is the most effective at prevention of virus transmission as soap kills the virus. We are distributing soap to banjars/villages and markets in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), together with educational materials explaining the importance of frequent hand washing with soap as well as instructions on how to wash hands effectively. 
We are also developing mobile hand washing stations, with soap dispensers for public locations, such as markets. 
Initiative implemented by: Kopernik & Alam Santi

Hand Sanitizer Production and Distribution
If soap and water is not available, then hand sanitizer with 70% alcohol content also kills the virus. In partnership with alcohol producers and local enterprises, we are producing hand sanitizer as there are nation-wide shortages and supplies are extremely limited. We are distributing the sanitizer to banjars/villages and markets in Bali and NTT, as well as medical facilities (see below).
We are also developing hand sanitizer dispenser stations for public locations, such as markets.
Initiative implemented by: Kopernik & Alam Santi 

Cloth Mask Production and Distribution
We are employing local tailors and producing cloth masks which we are distributing to vulnerable populations, which include (but are not exclusive to) market vendors, waste collectors, transport operators and prison inmates. We have been distributing masks in Bali, NTT, East Java, as well as Aceh. 
Initiative implemented by: Kopernik 

2. Emergency Response: Support to Frontline Medical Personnel

With an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, health care facilities are facing a shortage of medical supplies such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitizing supplies, according to Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, Bali’s public hospitals and Indonesia’s Doctors Association. This puts health care workers at greater risks of exposure to COVID-19, exerting more pressure on facilities that are already handling a growing number of cases. In order to protect frontline medical personnel, we are distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitizing supplies to hospitals and clinics around Bali and NTT including public and private hospitals as well as clinics (pratama and utama). We have also, based on urgent requests, been providing necessary equipment and sanitizing supplies outside of Bali and NTT (including Banten and West Java).

While the needs continue to evolve, the current needs of medical personnel include:

Coveralls/gowns, head and shoe covers 
We are procuring these items and distributing them to hospitals and clinics in Bali and NTT based on needs identified through local Gugus Tugas COVID-19 as well as responses to direct requests by clinics and hospitals.

Face shields
As these are not currently available for purchase due to nation-wide shortages we have designed and are producing a protective face shield which will be distributed to protect medical personnel. The face shield has been approved by Gugus Tugas COVID-19 Bali Province, Dinas Kesehatan and BNPB. The distribution is based on needs identified through Gugus Tugas COVID-19 Bali Province as well as responses to direct requests by clinics and hospitals.

Respiratory masks
We are procuring and distributing N-95 masks to the extent possible. Given the supply shortages we are also working on the production of masks to be distributed to medical personnel. The distribution is based on needs identified through Gugus Tugas COVID-19 Bali and NTT Provinces as well as responses to direct requests by clinics and hospitals.

Soap and hand sanitizer
Hospitals and clinics are facing a shortage of soap. We are distributing liquid hand soap to hospitals and clinics. In addition, given that there is a nation-wide shortage of alcohol-based sanitizer, we are partnering with alcohol producers to access 96% ethanol alcohol, which is then produced by a local company into a 70% alcohol based hand sanitizer for distribution to medical facilities. The distribution is based on needs identified through Gugus Tugas COVID-19 Bali and NTT Provinces as well as responses to direct requests by clinics and hospitals.

Initiative implemented by: Kopernik

3. Livelihood Support

Due to massive job losses across Bali, we are providing livelihood support in the following areas:

Access to nutritious food through an urban gardens initiative to increase household access to nutritional fresh food especially among affected urban populations. People in urban areas are especially vulnerable to fresh food shortages as many have lost their livelihoods, the cost of fresh produce is rising, and they do not have the same access to farmland as those in more rural areas. This initiative will produce and distribute seedlings, potting soil and household scale gardening kits for 150 families. Households will receive ready-to-use kits with planter bags, potting soil, and seedlings so that they can grow their own vegetables and herbs. This will reduce the burden on household expenses while ensuring families have access to nutritional food and antioxidant herbs.
Initiative implemented by: Alam Santi & Kopernik

Pasar Rakyat is an initiative that supports fresh food distribution supporting farmers who have lost access to their markets while providing much needed nutritious food to households - through connecting farmers to households, as well as connecting farmers to government and non-government distribution efforts to families in need.
Initiative implemented by: Pasar Rakyat with support from Alam Santi & Kopernik

Direct emergency livelihood support. We have also been providing direct emergency basic needs support to unserved populations who have been severely affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Initiative implemented by: Alam Santi & Kopernik 

THE EXPECTED IMPACT

The response is expected to:

Prevention

• Reduce spread of COVID-19 through increased public knowledge, reduced movement, and improved hygiene.

Emergency Response

• Protect medical personnel.
• Protect patients treated at targeted healthcare facilities.

Livelihood Support

• Nutritious vegetables and antioxidant immune-boosting food available for 150 households in urban areas.
• Support to farmers who have lost access to their markets by connecting them with access to buyers.