I CAN South Sudan
Side by side intervention against child marriage and pregnancy cases rising during the pandemic in Bidibidi
Side by Side is an intervention program by I CAN South Sudan, a Community Based Refugee Led Organization in Bidibidi. Their innovation solution during the pandemic united both the refugee and host community leaders to work together towards fighting the rising cases in COVID-19, child marriage, and child pregnancy that was seen to rise during the pandemic. They also empowered single mothers through entrepreneurship and business management skills and gave them capital to start businesses for self-reliance and recovery. 10 women were trained in business management skills and given 500,000 UGX each as start-up capital. The intervention distributed 100 pads, gave food items to 25 girls and 15 boys, did house-to-house visits of children, and aired encouraging messages on NTC Radio to comfort the refugees during the pandemic. Side by side also distributed 3000 face masks and soap to 8 schools in Bidibidi Zone 1 to candidate class students who were resuming classes and to the teachers in those various schools.
honorable mention
Refugee and host community leaders brainstorming on how to fight the rising cases of COVID-19.