Strengthen fragile health systems in Africa against COVID-19 and future public health threats with Focusing Philanthropy and VillageReach

As always, Focusing Philanthropy covers all overhead costs. 100% of every donation will go to the COVID 411 Campaign.

THE NEED

In sub-Saharan Africa, health systems are not strong enough to manage the pandemic. Inaccurate information about who can catch COVID-19 and how to treat it undermines efforts to slow the virus. People need to know how to protect themselves, and front-line health workers need accurate information on how to prevent and treat COVID-19 in their communities. As governments implement their COVID-19 response plans, they need the platforms, resources and data systems that allow them to disseminate ongoing updates with expediency as new information becomes available. Without rapid-response communication, misinformation and rumors exacerbate fear and confusion and put millions of people at risk.

THE APPROACH

To stay ahead of the foreseeable surge in COVID-19 cases in Africa, Focusing Philanthropy and VillageReach are partnering across three countries–the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Mozambique–to provide timely, accurate health information to ~11.9 million people as well as remote, phone-based training to more than 100,000 health workers. 

VillageReach has cultivated strong relationships with the Ministries of Health and its partners in all three countries, providing them technical support and solutions to transform health care delivery systems for the under-reached. Since 2001, VillageReach has been working to improve the capacity and equity of health systems in remote, rural low-income countries. Its programs increase access to quality primary care for more than 40 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. 

To reach everyone, the COVID 411 Campaign will disseminate consistent, accurate information for virus prevention and treatment through a wide range of digital tools, including mobile-carrier provided free health hotlines, voice and text messaging, and WhatsApp with chatbots. A multi-stage, remote training platform will educate community health workers about the symptoms, spread and prevention of COVID-19. In turn, it will also help health workers keep themselves safe from the virus. These platforms together will provide governments with outbreak visibility dashboards to make the quick, informed responses needed to save lives.

THE GOAL

Focusing Philanthropy will add $1 for every $1 contributed by VillageReach donors, for up to $750,000 in matching support toward the overall campaign goal of $1,500,000. With collective action, we can mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa and protect frontline health workers.

Donations must be a minimum of $1,000 and directed to Focusing Philanthropy, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and free resource to donors. Donations are fully tax deductible and 100% of funds contributed will go to the COVID-19 411 Campaign. All Focusing Philanthropy costs are covered by its founders.