How Covid-19 Is Impacting Ethiopia and Carry 117
Like the rest of the world, Ethiopia is reeling from the impact of Covid-19. We are bracing and preparing for the worst as a nation and within our communities as the virus gains momentum. The Ethiopian government has responded quickly and is putting measures into place that hopefully will slow the spread of this novel virus. As of the time of this writing (April 1), there are 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus here in Ethiopia. Initially, the first cases were connected to individuals who had traveled outside of the country but now several cases have been reported in Ethiopian individuals who have no ties to foreign travel.
Sadly, out of fear and uncertainty, there was friction between some Ethiopians and foreigners the last few weeks as they blamed foreigners for bringing the virus to our country. Foreigners were warned to be careful when out in public in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian government does not condone this behavior, and neither do I or anyone I am tied to. I am sorry on behalf of my country for treating foreigners this way.
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: I am not sure why bad things like this virus happen. But I am sure of this: unity as a result of tragedy is a great thing. And what our world needs is more unity. We are all in this together, and we will come out on the other side, together.
Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights from more than 80 countries and is requiring a mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days for anyone entering the country. All land borders have been closed as well. In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, schools have been closed, and sporting events and public gatherings have been cancelled.
Many people have been asking me how Korah and Carry 117 have been impacted by the outbreak. I have been very pleased with how the government has responded. They have collected millions of birr (local currency), set up labs for people to get tested, and are working to convert many factories to produce sanitizers to meet the current demand. The media has been making every effort to inform people about the virus and the best hygiene practices.
But the hard truth is in communities like Korah, where many are illiterate and depend on getting their food from the dump, there is a disconnection between the broader risk of getting coronavirus and the daily need to survive. Social distancing is not a likely option when you have 5 or 6 people crammed in a one room house or when people rely on public transportation to get around. I still see groups of people gathering on the streets on a daily basis, people standing shoulder to shoulder in line for a taxi. Not only that, but in a community where religion is intertwined with culture, people have a hard time understanding that going to church is a risk for their health, and often assume if they have enough faith, God will protect them from the virus.
At Carry 117, we are doing our best to be proactive to help the community and the women and families who work at our compound. It is very challenging to enforce the importance of washing hands when we sometimes do not have running water at our compound. We have been transporting water from Addis and getting deliveries of water when possible.
We are not allowing anyone beside employees to come and go from the compound, and those that come must wash their hands on arrival and every hour throughout the day. Work stations are set up at a safe distance from each other. In addition, we will soon be allowing some women to work from home. We will provide them with small projects that they can bring with them. In case of a lockdown, we have purchased additional cleaning supplies and extra food for our families.
At the compound, we are spending our current days working on an order, and making masks for our workers and their children to wear out in the community.
How can you help Carry 117 during the Covid-19 crisis?
Please Pray.
Pray for safety and provision for the people of Korah.
Pray for people to take seriously the warnings to distance and wash hands regularly.
Pray for me and my staff as we must make daily decisions about how to best support the employees of Carry 117 and the surrounding community.
Continue to support Carry 117 through purchasing our products. Our business, like many others, has been hit hard by the economy. Your continued support allows us to keep Carry 117 running and to continue our mission to help women and families in Korah.
Some days I am overwhelmed at the thought of how the people on the streets of Korah will survive this pandemic. I wonder who will take care of them if the virus gets worse. But rather than viewing this as a tragedy, I want to see this as an opportunity for Carry 117 to make a difference. We have the potential to make an impact in and around the neighborhoods of Korah. I am thankful for your support and continued prayers as we face this challenge, together.
