In the face of the global Corona Virus Pandemic that has ravaged our communities, both the infected and the affected lives have been altered to suit the current situation. No one has been spared, the internally displaced people included. They are more at risk because millions of IDPs in Nigeria live in densely populated areas and are unable to self-isolate. They already have difficulty accessing adequate housing essential services and a decent income, the impacts of the pandemic will be significant. LBI stepped in as aid workers to assist the affected victims of the notorious virus by providing palliatives to help ease the impact of the virus on the lives of its beneficiaries.

MEDICAL OUTREACH/AWARENESS 

On the short notice upon the arrival of the virus into the country, the LBI Medical Team organized a medical outreach on the 21st March 2020 at the Area1 camp to sensitize the community on the corona virus pandemic and also provided primary health care to those in need due to the foreseen impact COVID-19 will have on the delivery of medical services. Over 200 children, women and men from Dagba, Area1 IDP camp and other surrounding communities benefited from this outreach. Volunteer Healthcare professionals were able to enlighten the community on the rules to adhere to during the crisis and Frances Omowumi Olotu Medical Center was opened to the community during the pandemic.

THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

In April and July – in partnership with volunteers – LBI coordinated mentoring projects for teenage girls and boys from underserved communities. Motivating them to be their best selves and stay away from vices especially during this pandemic/lockdown period. In May, 32 young ladies benefitted while in July 50 young ladies and 30 young boys benefitted from this project. Making a total of 112 beneficiaries. In addition to the mentoring sessions, Sanitary items such as facemasks, hand sanitizers, bathing soaps, deodorants, and other toiletry items were distributed to all participants and they were all taught basics of skills which can be developed to make a living for themselves. This is a bi-monthly program.

LBI DIGITAL LEARNING PROJECT

COVID-19 has permanently altered the pedagogy of education, and responding to the new normal is a decision we all must respond to. Keeping in mind the complications the pandemic introduced to the already existing educational challenges in our country; the children forced to stay at home due to the lock-down are not left idle. To keep up with their studies and not fall behind on the 31^st of May, LBI launched a project with the aim of equipping 1000 children of the under-served with digital skills, providing a digital learning space within camp David with easily accessible computers and tablets. Children of the under-served can also have access to self-learn using HITCH, while observing necessary safety measures. Since inception of project, we have successfully trained over 200 children who are now self-learning everyday with over 50 computers and tablets.

During this special digital skills project, the students are fed every day and the clinic is open for medical checkup for the children and their parents on clinic days.