Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, has disbursed an additional small grant of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Liberian Dollars (L$1,200,000.00) to support 20 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in four Counties- Montserrado, Margibi, Nimba and Grand Bassa Counties. 

Among those benefitting from the grant are: National Union of Organizations of the Disabled, University of Liberia Masters in Public Health Student Volunteers, Public Health Care Solution, Youth Network for Positive Change, Orphan Concern Liberia, Youth Aid Liberia, SATEC TV among others.

This is the second phase of a Community Action Platform against COVID-19, which is being supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Peace-building Fund (PBF).

The project started in April 2020 by Naymote with an initial support to 45 CBOs in Montserrado, using the Ebola experiences and integrating its lessons learned into community led actions and multi-stakeholder platform models.

The second phase of the project will enable partners and CBOs to contribute to the response process in their communities by creating awareness on the importance of hand-washing, social distancing, wearing of face masks, stopping community and person to person spread of the virus, and symptoms of COVID-19.

It also entails small group discussions to enhance peacebuilding, and social cohesion in the execution of the National Health Protocols.

The Executive Director of NAYMOTE, Eddie D. Jarwolo believes that the approach is highly adaptive and supports community resilience.

It is also expected to boost community ownership of stopping transmission of the virus and yield greater citizens’ participation to overcome misinformation about the virus.

“NAYMOTE is prepared to ignite the same spirit of community ownership, social mobilization and vigor employed during the Ebola crisis to help save the lives of vulnerable populations in Liberia,” Jarwolo stressed.

Additionally, the institution has hired 15 college students as volunteers to create awareness with approved health messages on COVID-19 prevention using mobile phones.

Included in this initiative is the use of radio. Five radio stations (2 national and 3 community based including OK FM, Truth FM, Radio Gbarnga, Classic FM, Radio Gbehzohn and Radio Kergheamahn) are being supported to air messages on the COVID-19 prevention in English and local languages.

CBOs have also received facemasks, posters, flyers, and banners with various messages to enhance peacebuilding, social cohesion, and COVID-19 prevention to be used during the implementation of this project.

With the increased number of COVID-19 cases in Liberia, NAYMOTE is calling on politicians interested in the upcoming senatorial elections to place citizens' health and safety first, by supporting the national COVID-19 response process and adhering to Government’s announcements and health protocols.

“It is unacceptable to see politicians rallying large crowds without adhering to health protocols during a public health crisis only because they want to be elected,” Naymote’s Executive Director pointed out.

Eddie Jarwolo is also calling on the health authorities and government to immediately put in place safety measures ahead of the mid-term senatorial elections, to save lives.

Naymote is a good governance and research institution working to promote democracy and participatory governance in Liberia.