Heineken Africa Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation has donated N284 million to vulnerable communities as coronavirus emergency response to vulnerable communities against spread of the disease in Nigeria.
Mrs Oluseyi Abdulmalik, the Communications and Media Manager, WaterAid Nigeria said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Bauchi.
She said Heineken Africa foundation is supporting WaterAid Nigeria’s Covid-19 emergency response work with a N284 million donation.
“That will help vulnerable communities protect themselves against the spread of the disease.
“The project is designed to strengthen ongoing efforts to curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease in Nigeria.
“By supporting national and state governments to promote hygiene practices and hygiene behaviour change on a massive scale,” she said.
Abdulmalik explained that more than 1,000 much needed hand-washing facilities will be installed in healthcare centres and other busy public places in Nigeria.
She added that hygiene product packs will be distributed to 12,000 households and 6,000 persons with disabilities.
“A large-scale hygiene campaign will also be carried out on TV, radio and billboards. “It is hoped the project will reach millions of people across the country.
“Hand washing with soap is the first line of defence against the spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19,” she said
Mrs Abdulmalik stressed that government statistics show that more than 160 million lack access to basic hand washing facilities with soap and water, increasing the risk of infection.
The WaterAid Communication Manager pointed out that the funds are part of the Heineken Africa foundation’s generous N547 million (€1.2 million) donation to WaterAid to support the international charity’s water, sanitation and hygiene work in vulnerable communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as with Nigeria where the work will last seven months,” Abdulmalik said.
She reiterated that Evelyn Mere, the WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Director and Suzanne Giele, the Heineken Africa foundation General Manager have both stressed the need for clean water and good hygiene that has never been more urgent as we battle to contain the spread of Covid-19.
“Clean water, decent sanitation and hygiene are basic human rights but unfortunately, vulnerable communities, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to these basic essentials,” she said
