{"id":9970,"date":"2020-05-28T04:52:07","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T11:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=9970"},"modified":"2020-05-28T04:54:42","modified_gmt":"2020-05-28T11:54:42","slug":"offering-extra-protection-against-covid-19-to-lebanons-most-vulnerable-medecins-sans-frontieres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=9970","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;Offering extra protection against COVID-19 to Lebanon\u2019s most vulnerable&#8221;, M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"text-block-279751\" class=\"toolkit text-block [ ml-1\/10 mr-1\/10 ] [ md:ml-6\/20 md:w-11\/20 ] [ lg:ml-5\/20 lg:w-9\/20 ] js-toolkit\" data-toolkit=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"text-block__content\">\n<p>Press Release, Paris,\u00a026 May 2020<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe watch the news every day. The situation is depressing and sad,\u201d says Hussein, a 60-year-old man, living in the Palestinian refugee camp of Burj Al-Barajneh, south of Beirut, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msf.org\/lebanon\">Lebanon<\/a>. \u201cThe number of people infected with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msf.org\/covid-19\">COVID-19<\/a> is increasing and the number of people dying because of it is also constantly on the rise. Why wouldn\u2019t we protect ourselves if we are given the opportunity to do so?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hussein\u2019s 53-year-old wife, Aida, is one of the many vulnerable patients regularly receiving home care visits by M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res (MSF) teams. Recently, on top of the regular MSF services they received, the couple agreed to be part of a pilot programme put in place by MSF to respond to the COVID-19 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msf.org\/epidemics-and-pandemics\">pandemic <\/a>in the country.<\/p>\n<p>For the past weeks, we have been training and assisting vulnerable families in Burj Al-Barajneh camps, like Hussein and Aida\u2019s, to the practice of shielding. Shielding consists of creating \u2018green zones\u2019, or safe zones, where individuals more susceptible to COVID-19 are kept protected from any potential source of infection. The areas where they stay can either be inside the household or in separate locations, in the neighbourhood. During the shielding phase, these people should have minimal physical interactions with their relatives and other community members.<\/p>\n<p>Based on a voluntary approach, the goal is to provide solutions for additional protection to people who may suffer severe effects if they have COVID-19. This can be achieved by adding some simple measures at home; however this also requires thought and dedication. The elderly, people living with chronic diseases, and people with weak immune systems are among those that MSF teams are reaching out to with this new activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"parallax279760\" class=\"toolkit parallax js-toolkit js-parallax\" data-toolkit=\"parallax\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/1vp088nk6n075f64673r443451036xei.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"all and (min-width: 1200px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/mb70855s2mw16qthrre5e3n40n3a6o32.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"(min-width: 750px) and (max-width: 1199px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/7i820js81p2in7pgs0a0h33558s7o4jm.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"all and (max-width: 749px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"MSF COVID-19 Response in Lebanon\" src=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/x7s8482qj7yibr04o5q8vjg8q4ct682b.jpg\" alt=\"MSF COVID-19 Response in Lebanon\" \/><\/picture>\n<aside class=\"photo-credits [ flex absolute pin-r pin-b w-full z-1 ] js-photo-credits\">\n<div class=\"photo-credits__content [ block relative w-full pl-1\/10 pr-1\/10 pt-30 pb-30 ml-auto text-white z-1 ] [ md:pb-70 md:pl-30 md:pr-30 ] [ lg:pb-48 lg:pl-40 lg:pt-35 lg:pr-40 ]\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Dayana Tabbarah, MSF health promoter, and Hala Hussein, MSF nurse, in the streets of Burj al-Barajneh camp, Beirut, Lebanon, May 2020<span class=\"[ font-america-condensed text-8 leading-22 tracking-medium uppercase ] [ md:text-10 md:tracking-wide ] \">\u00a9 DIEGO IBARRA S\u00c1NCHEZ<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"text-block-279761\" class=\"toolkit text-block [ ml-1\/10 mr-1\/10 ] [ md:ml-6\/20 md:w-11\/20 ] [ lg:ml-5\/20 lg:w-9\/20 ] js-toolkit\" data-toolkit=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"text-block__content\">\n<p>\u201cIntroducing shielding in this overcrowded camp was a pragmatic decision,\u201d says Marta Miazek, MSF\u2019s nurse in charge of the pilot project. \u201cWe wanted to find solutions for people to protect themselves, even for people who are at high risk of having medical complications if they contract COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve been working in this camp for years and many of our patients suffer from complicated medical conditions, making them more vulnerable,\u201d says Miazek. \u201cWe needed to help but also to remain as realistic as possible in terms of what could be done. In that regard, shielding seemed like the most practical option.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhenever we use the word shielding, people\u2019s first reaction is generally fear. They see it as creating physical barriers around them,\u201d says Miazek. \u201cBut we explain to the patients that shielding doesn\u2019t necessarily mean going far or cutting communication with their loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen they understand this, people feel reassured,\u201d continues Miazek. \u201cWe are trying to be very mindful of how people feel, and we make sure each step of this shielding approach is properly explained, so that they understand the benefit of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"image-279762\" class=\"toolkit image-embed image-embed-- [ mt-0 mb-0 ml-0 mr-0 ] [ md:w-13\/20 md:ml-5\/20 ] [ lg:w-11\/20 lg:ml-4\/20 ] js-toolkit \" data-toolkit=\"image-\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/34iodmmvaxti24805ni50oe0nusps328.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"all and (min-width: 1200px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/x8yed6c0yp56bf61by45qj2r2g7a3752.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"(min-width: 750px) and (max-width: 1199px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/h73ihlc30r0v8s405y8x2ch3y1l6ghe2.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"all and (max-width: 749px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"MSF COVID-19 Response in Lebanon\" src=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/y414goaq6824lm001i7t5f1fpk2rry78.jpg\" alt=\"MSF COVID-19 Response in Lebanon\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"caption [ m-0 ] [ font-tiempos text-11 leading-20 text-grey-emperor ] [ lg:text-14 lg:leading-22 ] [ relative mb-15 md:mb-13 lg:mb-19 ]\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Hala, an MSF nurse, checks patient Maryam&#8217;s blood pressure at her home in Burj al-Barajneh camp, Beirut. Lebanon, May 2020<\/span><\/figcaption><div class=\"image-embed__container [ relative pl-1\/10 pr-1\/10 ml-1\/10 mt-28 ] [ md:mt-29 ] [ lg:mt-27 ]\"><span class=\"eyebrow [ m-0 ] [ font-america-condensed text-10 leading-15 tracking-wide uppercase no-underline ] [ lg:text-12 lg:leading-22 ] \" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">DIEGO IBARRA S\u00c1NCHEZ<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div id=\"text-block-279763\" class=\"toolkit text-block [ ml-1\/10 mr-1\/10 ] [ md:ml-6\/20 md:w-11\/20 ] [ lg:ml-5\/20 lg:w-9\/20 ] js-toolkit\" data-toolkit=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"text-block__content\">\n<p>Maryam, who is 90 years old, suffers from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msf.org\/non-communicable-diseases\">diabetes and hypertension<\/a>. She is also taking part in our team\u2019s initiative. She lives with five family members in a small house inside the camp, which made it a bit more difficult to find her \u2018safe zone\u2019 at first. Eventually, she chose one of the mattresses on the floor as her safe zone after agreeing with her family. She has spent most of her time sitting on it, over the past few days.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel safe here. My daughter-in-law, who takes care of me, keeps the area clean and disinfected,\u201d says Maryam.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI understood that frequent cleaning is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus,\u201d says her daughter-in-law Israa, while sitting at a safe distance from Maryam. \u201cSo, I clean the surfaces, the doorknobs and the floor on a regular basis. And I pay extra attention to the surfaces surrounding the mattress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition to educating the families about shielding, MSF is also providing them with hygiene kits, which include soap and shampoo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"image-full-width-279764\" class=\"toolkit image-embed image-embed--full [ mt-0 mb-0 ml-0 mr-0 ] [ md:w-13\/20 md:ml-5\/20 ] [ lg:w-11\/20 lg:ml-4\/20 ] js-toolkit \" data-toolkit=\"image-full\">\n<div class=\"image-embed__image is-center js-object-fit\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/al45u62s4jp0mp1w3u4w7rd11403totk.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"all and (min-width: 1200px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/467qp0q47yek42f32hjf6sc0265atxin.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"(min-width: 750px) and (max-width: 1199px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/6n0x307c1ir6m1sde08lgs5d3mqn0pj3.jpg 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"all and (max-width: 749px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"MSF COVID-19 Response in Lebanon\" src=\"https:\/\/msf-media.imgix.net\/AssetLink\/i24d3r4delbdxe1j1s2ss1786n5tcjp0.jpg\" alt=\"MSF COVID-19 Response in Lebanon\" \/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"caption [ m-0 ] [ font-tiempos text-11 leading-20 text-grey-emperor ] [ lg:text-14 lg:leading-22 ] [ relative mb-15 md:mb-13 lg:mb-19 ]\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Hala Hussein, MSF Nurse, Burj al-Barajneh camp, Beirut, Lebanon, May 2020<\/span><\/figcaption><div class=\"image-embed__container [ relative pl-1\/10 pr-1\/10 ml-1\/10 mt-28 ] [ md:mt-29 ] [ lg:mt-27 ]\"><span class=\"eyebrow [ m-0 ] [ font-america-condensed text-10 leading-15 tracking-wide uppercase no-underline ] [ lg:text-12 lg:leading-22 ] \" style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">DIEGO IBARRA S\u00c1NCHEZ<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div id=\"text-block-279765\" class=\"toolkit text-block [ ml-1\/10 mr-1\/10 ] [ md:ml-6\/20 md:w-11\/20 ] [ lg:ml-5\/20 lg:w-9\/20 ] js-toolkit\" data-toolkit=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"text-block__content\">\n<p>\u201cUninterrupted access to water, cleaning products and materials are essential for shielding to be successful,\u201d says Dayana Tabbarah, an MSF health promoter.<\/p>\n<p>Along with her colleague Hala, a nurse, she provides tips on protection and preventive measures to patients and their relatives.<\/p>\n<p>The team in Burj Al-Barjaneh visits the families who have agreed to join the pilot project on a regular basis. A nurse runs the usual medical check-ups related to the patient\u2019s chronic disease, and the health promoter ensures that the families are doing well, and that they can still maintain the measures recommended.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, their visits have developed a more sentimental value to the families participating. As shielding requires people to both avoid welcoming many guests at home and going out, the visit of MSF workers is in fact one of the only visits they receive. Over the past few weeks, the bond between the MSF team and the families participating in the pilot project has become stronger.<\/p>\n<p>MSF has also started implementing the same activity in Bar Elias, a town located in central Bekaa, where we also run a hospital.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.msf.org\/offering-extra-protection-against-covid-19-lebanon\u2019s-most-vulnerable\">M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Press Release, Paris,\u00a026 May 2020 \u201cWe watch the news every day. The situation is depressing and sad,\u201d says Hussein, a 60-year-old man, living in the Palestinian refugee camp of Burj Al-Barajneh, south of Beirut, Lebanon. \u201cThe number of people infected with COVID-19 is increasing and the number of people dying because of it is also [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001004,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9970"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1001004"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9970"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9970\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9973,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9970\/revisions\/9973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}