COVID-19 Emergency Response
The YouthRISE Nigeria COVID-19 Emergency Response was necessitated by the need for effective response to the health and socio-economic needs of the most vulnerable in marginalized communities in Nigeria, which is important in reducing the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other developmental challenges that may arise.
Through this initiative, we have provided; relief materials (food, Personal Protective Equipment, hygiene packs), Information, Education and Communications (IEC) materials on COVID-19, drug use, safety and health. This is inclusive of persons who use drugs, and prison inmates in; FCT, Nasarawa, Benin, Lagos, Anambra and Enugu states respectively.
YouthRISE Nigeria also ensured sustenance of HIV testing and treatment interventions during the lock down, while also engaging persons who use drugs through phone counseling, and referral support. We have also sustained advocacy effort by engaging with; policy makers, actors in the criminal justice system, relevant government institutions and society organizations towards prison decongestion and release of young petty offenders and those in prisons for low level drug offences.
This program has been successful in reaching over 2,000 beneficiaries in Nigeria. YouthRISE Nigeria is committed to providing and sustaining this intervention to promote the health and well-being of most-marginalized communities.
This intervention is supported by the Open Society Foundations, UNODC and Frontline AIDS
