Burkina Faso
In March, the government introduced restrictive measures to attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19, including closing borders and schools, and banning gatherings of more than 50 people.
The markets in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, have been closed since March 25. The government opened one on April 20 as a test to see if the rest of them could be safely reopened. “Sellers and customers who entered the market this week had to wear a mask, wash their hands and have their temperature taken, said Armand Beouinde, Ouagadougou’s mayor. He said that only two people are allowed inside shops at one time, and that all shops had to carry hand sanitizer.”
Concerns and Challenges
Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes (ABFB), similarly to many of our partners, has seen families suffer due to the lack of a daily income as a result of the markets being closed. The risk of starvation and COVID-19 infection are higher for them as food, sanitizers and face masks are hard to come by.
Currently, ABFB’s Weaving and Dyeing Project has not been affected as it is in Godin, Burkina Faso. However, ABFB is challenged with the travel restrictions and was unable to make it out of the capital for a time.
Adaptation Measures
ABFB organized early outreach awareness programs by educating women and children beneficiaries of their projects on preventive measures against the coronavirus. Demonstration sessions on washing techniques hands were incorporated.
Emergency Fund
ABFB used the money from our Emergency Fund to purchase essential food items, soap and face masks. All of these were distributed to 30 women on April 22 to comply with restrictions put in place by the government and to an additional 40 women over 2 days, April 23 and 24, who visited ABFB’s headquarters to receive the items.
