GERA ACTIVITIES IN 2024
OUR SUPPORT PROGRAMMES
Burkina FASO
In response to this crisis, GERA International, in collaboration with GROS Hoeilaart and FERU (Femme en Réponse d'Urgence), launched a humanitarian project focusing on two main objectives:
Ensuring Access to Safe Water in Fada: Distributed over 250,000 litres of drinkable water to 500 vulnerable households in Sectors 9 and 10, reducing health risks associated with contaminated water and improving overall well-being.
Empowering Women through Soap Making in Bam Province: We've not only provided valuable skills but also opened doors to economic opportunities. We trained 14 local women in soap making, equipping them with skills that can sustain them in the long run. Additionally, we distributed soap to 130 displaced women to promote hygiene and disease prevention.
GERA ACTIVITIES IN 2023
OUR SUPPORT PROGRAMMES
DRC
HelpAge RDC and GERA RDC collaborate to assist displaced individuals in Goma's IDP camps from Masisi and Rutshuru territories, focusing on their vulnerability, particularly in terms of hygienic latrines. The project's goal is to enhance hygiene and sanitation practices among displaced populations, reducing disease risks. Immediate access to semi-emergency latrines is ensured through the construction of blocks and facilities involving local labour and the active participation of beneficiaries. The initiative includes building 5 blocks with 8 doors each on the Lushagara site. Fifty Shelter Solidarity Committees raise awareness about latrine construction, sanitation, and community mobilization. The project also addresses sensitization on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), environmental conservation through reforestation, and climate change mitigation. Complaint management mechanisms are implemented to reinforce adherence to humanitarian principles.
USA
The Global Emergency Response Action (GERA) Adult Digital Technology Education (ADTE) Programme is a transformative initiative designed to bridge the digital literacy gap among adults. Focused on empowering individuals with essential skills, including internet navigation, smartphone proficiency, and mastery of online communication tools, the programme not only prepares participants for the modern workforce but also fosters a sense of community and connectivity. With the generous support of PhilaWorks and the City of Philadelphia Office of Children and Families, ADTE goes beyond education, providing a platform for personal growth and societal impact. By unlocking the potential of individuals in an increasingly digital world, GERA aims to create a ripple effect, positively influencing communities and contributing to a more digitally empowered society.
GERA - MALI
- As part of its humanitarian activities, the Action Malienne d'Intervention d'Urgence Social, GERA-Amiu-Hinè-so, will hand over sanitation kits to the school group Torokoro A, C. on Friday, March 17, 2023. This humanitarian gesture aims to make the learning environment more pleasant for the children. The donation comprises wheelbarrows, shovels, dustbins, rakes, brooms, liquid soaps, gloves, masks, and dabas. GERA-Amiu-Hinè-so works in various fields, including education, health, and sanitation. It is to help poor people while making the environment clean and healthy.
- In the commune of Bamako, Gera-Amiu-Hinèso supports the schools of Fadjiguila, Dianguinébougou, and Zéguénèkorobougou. GERA and the Action Malienne d'Intervention d'Urgence want to help keep schools clean and healthy.
2022
USA
- GERA provides assistance to various disadvantaged societies. Due to inflation and economic hardship, immigrant families and other low-income populations struggle to purchase food, gasoline, clothing, and school supplies for their children. GERA helps children from low-income families with self-confidence, mental health and urgent needs. GERA has provided 25 AFAHO refugee children with bundles of school supplies. We strive to help impoverished children.
- GERA helped house residents. At Outley House, 1901 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19142, GERA served lunch to seventy homeless men. Outley House helps needy men between the ages of 18 and 60. The programme helps needy individuals achieve stability, independence and employment
Ethiopia
- IOM has been registering Ethiopians returning from Saudi Arabia at Bole airport since 2017. IOM reported 79,498 Ethiopians returned in 2021. Ethiopians returned in June 2021. In 2022, Saudi Arabia wanted to send back more than 100,000 Ethiopian migrants. The government and partners will provide humanitarian assistance and protection to 100,000 returnees, but it will be a challenge. Saudi Arabian returnees are being hosted in Ethiopia.
- GERA-Ethiopia provides emergency medical care to returnees with major depression, PTSD, acute stress, generalized anxiety, survivors of abuse and dissociative and psychotic disorders. GERA is a pioneer in the field of humanitarian aid. GERA provides sanitation, health promotion and mental health care.
Uganda
- During the pandemic, Uganda gave precedence to the Logistics and Development division of GERA International. With the COVID-19 RECOVERY RESPONSE ACTION (CRRA), New Hope Secondary School initiated a sexual and reproductive health intervention for expectant COVID-19 students in 2021 in an effort to improve menstrual hygiene.
- To enable adolescent mothers to resume their studies in 2021, GERA Uganda will provide financial assistance via CRRA to those enrolled at New Hope School. Expanded emergency recovery initiatives of the CRRA will persist into 2022.
- GERA, in conjunction with WE International, recovers girls and young women who have been subjected to sexual abuse and human trafficking. WE International provides training to Ugandan females who have experienced sexual abuse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. GERA Uganda provided instructional materials for the development of the necessary competencies.
MALI
- GERA-AMIU Hineso and school principals taught three days of education and sanitation at three Banconi Cape primary schools. School hygiene campaign #1 School hygiene promotes students' ownership of their school and life. Children and educators learn about hygiene and cleanliness. GERA-AMIU Hineso supports clean schools.
- GERA-AMIU Hinèso donates 20 meters of trees at the new town hall of Garantigibougou to raise awareness about global warming and protect the environment. On August 31, 2022, the Garantiguibougou Civil Registry Center was opened.
- Audiovisual awareness campaign. GERA International and AMIU Hineso on ORTM's Grin de Minuit and Channel 2's Bamako matin During the broadcasts, emphasis was placed on "insalubrity, especially in schools".
- GERA-AMIU Hineso used ORTM on August 2, 2022 and CHAINE 2 on September 28, 2022 to target other clusters and publicize the structure nationwide.
- Northeast Téssalite, Mali received medical consultation and an assessment of malnutrition. Screening, referral to recognized centers and follow-up have reduced the phenomenon in Tessalite. On October 28, 2022, Gera-AMIU Hineso and Sahara Health held this campaign at Tessalite hospital.
Liberia
Supporting vulnerable moms, the Global Emergency Response Action (GERA) mission in Liberia provided a variety of clothing items to the JAMES N DAVIS JR HOSPITAL's pediatrics and maternity services in the NEZOE Community of Monrovia.
2021
GERA MALI & PARTNER AMIU
- Free surgery campaign for people with Clef lip and palate deformities in Northern Mali from 9 October to 23, 2021, in partnership with the NGO HORIZON VERT and THE GAO HOSPITAL.
- Gynecological consultations for displaced women (ages 15 to 61 years) in GARANTIGUIBOUGOU in collaboration with the secondary Civil Status center of GARANTIGUIBOUGOU-BAMAKO, OCT 2021.
- Day of participation at the Malian Forum of humanitarian actors' first edition- Bamako, Nov. 2021
- In November 2021, in partnership with the NGO Horizon-Vert-SENOU, the activity of taking care of oral and dental consultation and donation of school kits, brushes, and toothpaste to the dominus students of IDRISSA Traore School in Senou, Bamako.
- Handing over clothes to displaced children at the GARANTIGUIBOUGOU site in collaboration with the NGO HORIZON-VERT-BAMAKO, December 2021
UGANDA
- GERA Uganda was successful in addressing the following COVID-19 related social issues: defending the reproductive health rights of young mothers affected by COVID-19 and promoting menstrual hygiene.
- As a result of the government's quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic, GERA Uganda targeted rural communities in Jinja with high birth rates among adolescents and school dropouts among girls.
- GERA UGANDA addressed sexual health issues through health programs. The team reached teenage mothers in rural areas of Jinja City. ESLA Uganda, which re-educates adolescent mothers, worked with us in these communities. In 2021, 150 households with teenage mothers will be reached.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Democratic Republic of Congo
Community mobilization for HIV/AIDS prevention in mining areas in Kasai; microfinance support for HIV/AIDS survivors in East Kasai; nutrition initiative in Tshilenge health zone.
Burundi
GERA Burundi launched a pandemic response strategy in 2021. Promoting compliance with the barriers. Medical staff learn to deal with COVID-19 and use saturometers to measure critical indicators.
2020
STOP COVID-19 IN AFRICA / KAYA, BURKINA FASO
Since April 2020 in Kaya (Centre North Region of Burkina Faso), the association AIGSD has been working with GERA to protect vulnerable populations against COVID-19. IDP people and communities have been engaged (sensitization and training) on COVID-19 barriers and prevention. Personal handwashes were donated to those most in need.
STOP COVID-19 IN AFRICA / YOPOUGON & PORT BOUET 2, COTE D’IVOIRE
June 2020 in Port-Bouet 2 Yopougon, Abidjan la Cote d'Ivoire, GERA-CI donated to medical institutions for COVID-19 care. Our medical teams monitored patients with chronic diseases who are more vulnerable to COVID-19. We trained community health workers to educate homes about COVID-19 cases, symptoms and prevention.
STOP COVID-19 IN AFRICA / KINSHASA, DRC
In 2020, GERA DRC worked with the Ministry of Health at the level of two Health Zones namely Kikimi and Kingabwa in the city of Kinshasa as part of the response against Covid-19. Our activities included training and awareness on covid-19 preventive measures. These 2 health zones also benefited from the donations of equipment in hygiene material.
STOP COVID-19 IN AFRICA, JINJA, UGANDA
- In April 2020, GERA-Uganda launched the COVID-19 Socio-Economic Response Project (CSERP) in Masese-3 Village, a slum in Jinja City. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CSERP targeted the most vulnerable urban poor (women, children, HIV/AIDS patients and the disabled). Food assistance: GERA-UGANDA volunteers distributed food to the most disadvantaged families in Masese-3 Village in April 2020.
- Home visits for psychosocial support: After the government eased movement restrictions, GERA-UGANDA volunteers began visiting families experiencing gender violence, the elderly and women-headed families in Masese-3 slum.
- Communication on gender-based violence: GERA Uganda used community-level communication to sensitize target communities to gender-related messages. To combat COVID-19-related domestic violence, the Office of the Local Council President 1 has established community-based mediation structures on domestic and gender violence.
PROJECT MATERNITY AFRICA / LOUDA, BURKINA FASO
Since 2018, some hospitals in Burkinabe Faso have been closed due to the war. Poor infrastructure makes maternity care difficult for the few. Louda is located in the rural district of Boussouma in the province of Samentenga, in the north of Burkina Faso. The GERA refurbished the maternity and pharmacy depot in May 2020 to improve women's access to sexual and reproductive health services.
