Lydia Mpeh is on the frontline of the war against COVID-19 in South Sudan. Originally from Cameroon, the UN Volunteer is a medical laboratory technician in the Rumbek region, her experience managing a hospital laboratory run by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
“My project is to collect and verify samples from other people who would possibly be affected by COVID-19, as well as who has been in contact with them. I am guilty of ensuring correct laboratory diagnosis, availability of reagents (substances added to a formula to check if a reaction occurs) and the operation of our equipment,” says Mpeh.
The first cases of COVID-19 showed up in South Sudan in early April. Before that, Mpeh played a vital role in educating the UN in his region about the dangers of the virus and how to save it.
“As medical staff, I am on the front lines of fighting this pandemic and ensuring the protection of our UN staff, so they can continue to do their own work,” MPEH said.
UNMISS is making a significant contribution to the national COVID-19 response effort. It is renovating hospitals across the country, installing water tanks and generators, offering tents and beds to treat more people in local communities, as well as private protective devices. and ambulances.
Approximately forty-five of the 111 civilian doctors serving at UNMISS sites in South Sudan are international UN volunteers. with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of South Sudan.
“These volunteers work long hours in difficult conditions, far from their families and friends, to make a difference in the lives of those in need,” said David Shearer, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS. . . ” In fact, they are unsung heroes, not only in the war against COVID-19, but also in helping the UN bring to light all their life-saving and life-changing work in communities in South Sudan. “
The paintings of UN Volunteers around the world were also praised by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said: “Through their commitment, resilience and creativity, they include the values of the United Nations in supporting their host communities.
Mpeh is committed to continuing his important works in South Sudan despite the risk of COVID-19 to his own fitness and well-being.
“At this critical time when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, my prayer is that we have to remain calm, be vigilant to each other and put into practice the prevention methods shared with us through the authorities. Together, we can become champions,” says Mpeh.
The Manguinhos Ballet, named after its favela in Rio de Janeiro, returns to the level after a long absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has as interpreters 250 young people and adolescents from the favela. The ballet organization provides social assistance in a network where poverty, hunger and teenage pregnancy are ongoing problems.
The pandemic has put many other people to the test, and news hounds are no exception. The coronavirus has waged war not only against the lives and well-being of others, but has also generated countless deceptions and clinical lies.
The pandemic has shown how vital it is that the right of access to data is trusted and that reliable and accurate data is freely available for government and citizen decision-making – a win-win situation.