A total of 1.3 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed on the African continent with more than 1 million recoveries & 33,484 deaths cumulatively (WHO Africa; 18 Sept 2020). The pandemic is not only affecting lives but is also impacting the economies and the social conditions of the most vulnerable populations. Given the largely poorly equipped healthcare systems in the African continent, the spread of the coronavirus represents inevitably another disruptive agent, prompting communities to rally to find support.

The youth population can play an important role in the pandemic by disseminating accurate communication about the prevention against the virus SARS-CoV-2.

In Kenya, Suhayl Omar and Wevyn Muganda of Mutual Aid Kenya are great examples of youth leadership combating the pandemic. They founded Mutual Aid Kenya to provide support to vulnerable people, who are not properly assisted by government systems. The grassroots disaster relief organisation is based on the concept of mutual aid, which relies on communities working together to ensure each others’ well-being.

When the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Kenya, Wevyn, an activist and writer, started to help by means of digital advocacy, ensuring that the Kenyan population were accurately informed of the potential risks of the disease and measures to be taken. Suhayl Omar, a community organizer, journalist and student, said that he took inspirations from the neighbourhood initiatives he saw in the United States and believed that it was possible to implement the same model in Kenya.

In Nairobi and Mombasa, they first used community-based groups to identify at-risk households. Then they collect mobile money from Kenyans to buy and distribute flour, beans, and soap in bulk.

While COVID-19 is also impacting the work and reach of other established aid agencies, local initiatives like Mutal Aid are paving the way to support those in need using local resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents an opportunity to empower the youth generation to use their skills, energy and combativeness to support population in need.

If you want to donate or volunteer to support Mutual Aid Kenya, please click HERE