Bridging the Gap delivers 1000 reusable masks to organisations of persons with disabilities in Burkina Faso

In the framework of Bridging the Gap’s COVID-19 contingency plan in Burkina Faso, 1000 washable and reusable masks were delivered to the project’s partners’ organisations of persons with disabilities on 13 May at an event held at the premises of the National Multisectoral Council for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COMUD/Handicap) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of COMUD/H, Mr. Harouna Kafando, the Director of the DPCM Department of the Ministry of Health, Dr. E. Zoure, the representatives of the five national partner organizations (FEBAH, ReNOH, CNAPH, UNAFEHB and AEEEHB), the Project Administrator, Ms. Adiara Dao, and the Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Ouagadougou, Domenico Bruzzone, who stressed that this action is a tangible response to the new needs arising from the COVID-19 epidemic.

After the delivery of the masks, the spokesperson of the organizations of persons with disabilities and President of UNAFEHB, Ms. E. Hien Winkoun, closed the ceremony by expressing her appreciation for this initiative, the first in the country to support persons with disabilities in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

These masks, made with traditional and ecological Burkinabé fabric, Faso Danfani, were handmade by the association Tigoung Nonma, member of the federation of organizations of women with disabilities UNAFEHB. They have an internal layer and are washable, which makes it easier to cope with the country’s shortage of protective materials.

Burkina Faso is one of the African countries most affected by COVID-19. The availability of  testing kits is limited and the pandemic is a major challenge for a health system already under stress. From 27th April 2020, according to a government directive, protective devices such as masks are expected to be worn when interacting in public spaces. With this action, Bridging the Gap contributes to ensure that persons with disabilities are taken into account.