Abas Mahammed Adbi, Ali Maalim, Abdiwase Mahamud
Background: A novel coronavirus disease-2019 has spread rapidly around the world since it was first identified. Refugees and internally displaced people are potentially at increased risk of contracting diseases, including novel coronavirus disease-2019, Ethiopia is now estimated to have approximately 3.1 million internally displaced people country wide, it also host the second largest refugee population in Africa, sheltering 905,832 from 26 countries. The potential risk for novel coronavirus disease-2019 transmission in Ethiopia is very high due to the large number of internally displaced people living in collective sites.
Methods: This survey aim was to assess preparedness level of Refugee and internally displaced people towards novel coronavirus disease-2019.
Result: 65.7% of participants acknowledged the absence of Epidemic Preparedness and Response Committee in their refugee and internally displaced people camps of selected camps in Somali region. 52 (48.1%) of the respondents agreed that their roles in response to outbreaks were clearly stated. The performance drivers of preparedness and response were dependent on presence of a budget availability of funds (χ2=88.000, P value =0.000). Adequacy of funds (χ2= 0.037, P value = 0.847.) Knowledge of covid-19 outbreak (χ2= 0.148, P value = 0.007). Presence of Health Development Partner (χ2=6.259, P value=0.012).
Conclusion: Based on these findings, there is a big gap in the preparedness and response ability, all of which are dependent on the financial gap and knowledge gap. To this, funding for preparedness and response is a critical aspect to respond and contain an outbreak. In order to address the existing capacity gaps related to the prevention, preparedness, detection and response for novel coronavirus disease-2019 and other emerging infectious diseases. The Somali regional government and its partners should closely work with the relevant authorities and other partners to build strong capacity to prevent, prepare, detect and respond to any potential novel coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak.
KeywordsPreparedness; Responses; Covid-19; Refugee; IDPs; Somali; Ethiopia
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