Establishment of EHPEA Covid-19 Taskforce
(ECTF)
Overview
Since onset of Covid-19, EHPEA has been proactively engaged with providing and addressing its member companies’ challenges. Due to the broad spectrum of the pandemic ramification various support hold necessary. Hence, EHPEA, established Covid-19 taskforce to specifically address risk communication of Covid-19 in the companies.
The team is tasked with designing Workplace Covid-19 protocol and support farms in its implementation for better preventive and control. Besides, the team will create media outlets to share farm endeavor to prevent the pandemic.
Activities Implemented
Initial Communication with Farms regarding Covid-19 prevention and Preparations:
Farm managers were contacted to establish COVID-taskforce or advised to use already existing committee. Hence, around 62 of farms reported to have establish a committee or assigned focal person to primarily engage with COVID related activities.
ECTF also created a virtual communication tool to reach the focal person of taskforces at farms. So far, Sixty-two farms are members of the group.
Farms are currently sharing their activities regarding COVID response. So far, social distancing, temperature testing, hand washing practice is reported.
Government Office Engagement:
Support letter requesting for support on Covid prevention and control submitted to Oromia Health Bureau. The letter was also dispatched to Sebeta, Holleta, Lume, Ada, Batu, Bishoftu, Sullulta woredas submitted.Follow up with Woreda health offices showed that the health officers conducted monitoring of farms and reported the farms preparedness on COVID prevention.
Another letter to the above health offices is prepared requesting testing for most-at-risk employees of farms. The identified most-at-risk includes, farm cold truck drivers, shouffers who brings in inputs and few more select farm employees.
IEC Materials Developed:
Workplace Protocol is developed and sent to selected farms for feedback. Feedback is incorporated into the protocol and is ready to be shared with farms. One of the incorporated new issue into the revised Protocol is MANAGEMENT OF MOST-AT-RISK employees. Farms also commented for Amaharic and Oromiffa translated Protocol.
IEC materials of various types designed and developed in three languages, English and two local languages Amharic and Oromiffa. 2500 posters printed and ready for dissemination. The poster distribution will begin on June 8, 2020. Each farm will receive 4 from each topic. The posters include:
- Handwashing,
- Fact sheet,
- COVID Prevention method, and Spreading mechanisms.