South Sudanese Covid-19 Support Project (SSCSP)
South Sudanese Community Initiatives Centre (SSCIC) is a non-governmental, nonprofit, nonpartisan and self-motivated organization that empowers South Sudanese both in the UK and in South Sudan, irrespective of disability, gender, religious and political affiliation, language or sexual orientation. SSCIC is a community interest-based organization legally registered in England and Wales working for the social integration and mental health support of the South Sudanese community in the UK. With the majority being vulnerable or, due to multiple social barriers, are unable to navigate the British system, a significant number of South Sudanese community members in the UK do face formidable challenges in coping up with life due to disruption by COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to these social barriers, the majority are unable to access all necessary information needed for community awareness as well as for protecting oneself and others or for controlling the pandemic.
To keep themselves and others safe from COVID-19, supporting them through awareness-raising on rules and guidelines set out by the government is an important step toward combating the pandemic.
To achieve the aforesaid plan, the SSCIC developed a South Sudanese Covid-19 Support Project (SSCSP), the implementation of which is currently underway, many thanks to funding provided by the National Lottery Community Fund. The objective of SSCSP is to establish regular support to South Sudanese in England so they can be well equipped with all needed information, knowledge, and with the right protective materials to fight the virus.
The main objective of this project is to conduct rapid awareness-raising and educate the South Sudanese community on various ways to protect themselves and others from Covid-19 such that they can mitigate the spread of the virus through their understanding and implementing of all rules and social distancing guidelines set out by the government and NHS. According to the explanation provided above the COVID-19 awareness will focus on the below areas:
disseminate up to date information about active recovered and death number in various locations within the UK and Wales.
document cases or any concerns reported by the people and respond according to the procedures advised by the National Health Service.
provide free and fair communication among the community as to address any complaints in line with domestic violence/abuse.
Pass information using Arabic and English language to enhance inclusion
Provide community members with PPE.
Collect and store personal information in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
The project works with local volunteers to implement the project efficiently and effectively to provide feedback to the communities in their respective locations. The project will not only pass information or carry out awareness, but also will consider the use of confidentiality when dealing with people’s personal information in line with the new GDPR.