On Sunday 15th March the Aviation Authorities announced that the airport would be closed from 18th for both outgoing and incoming flights for an indefinite period. Land borders were also closed. An MMR team member who was scheduled to fly out of the country for family reasons on 3rd April, booked a new flight and left the country the next day. On Wednesday 18th, the day for border closures, the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed.
On 20th March the Ministry of Health ordered that mosques were to be closed and collective sports activities prohibited. They asked the population to avoid any gatherings. Not everyone realised the importance of this step so next day groups of men were still gathering to pray outside the mosque! The Ministry of Education requested that spring holidays be advanced from April to March and shortly thereafter all schools and training centres were asked to close 23rd-31st March. In response EELC advanced exams to 21st March so that students could still pass to the next level even if it were not possible to reopen the school before the summer closure.
On Monday 23rd March President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh asked the population to limit their movements to what was strictly necessary after two more cases tested positive. Also all the non-essential shops were closed and public transport suspended. The police have closed certain roads and ask for authorisation to be driving. MMR team decided to stop meeting in person and change to virtual meetings. We keep in touch with our coffee lounge students with a WhatsApp group and several set times for chatting with a teacher. We suggest proverbs or topics to discuss and students leave voice messages for us to listen to.
Some people asked for food and MMR team were able to help. Many people are heavily dependant on their day to day income so when their, often little, businesses are closed, they need to find another way to provide for themselves – but how and where? There are few alternatives as unemployment is already high – at least 13% and some estimate it to be 60%. It looks like the government has been handing out some food to cover the immediate needs.
There are fewer people in the streets but still a lot more than there should be. We still see people socializing and not keeping the required distance. Police are in some sections telling people to stay at home.
On 26th March when there were 11 positive coronavirus cases school closures were extended until 9th April. Quarantine centres have been in operation since the first case, and the Ministry of Health produces a daily press release to update the situation: (https://www.facebook.com/pg/minister.sante.dj/posts/?ref=page_internal).
By Tuesday 31st March there were 30 positive cases though none seemed to be seriously ill. However, by 17th April the number had increased exponentially and there were 732 cases and 2 deaths, but 76 have recovered. The government extended the period of confinement at home until 28th April.
On 2nd April the World Bank had announced the provision of a US$5 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries. The project will focus primarily on the immediate needs and timely response to the COVID-19 outbreak, while at the same time enhancing the country’s health system capacity to limit the spread of infection and provide the best care possible for people who become ill.
That credit will be very helpful in enabling the government to address the many knock-on effects of the pandemic. However, it is only credit, so all it really does is to push today’s financial problems to tomorrow – and tomorrow will undoubtedly have its own problems too.
This is going to be a really tough time for everyone in Djibouti.
So we pray to the Lord God Almighty for his mercy, grace and sustenance.
God of mercy and compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their comfort;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light.
Keep your people, Lord God Almighty,
under the shadow of your grace and kindness
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience
to all who care for the sick,
and your wisdom and insight
to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health
All-knowing, all-seeing God,
For those who are guiding the nation and shaping national policies,
Give them,
wisdom beyond their own wisdom,
faith beyond their own faith,
stamina beyond their own stamina,
to lead us through this time of turmoil
to a time of health, peace and sufficiency.
We acknowledge our sinfulness,
waywardness
and lack of thankfulness.
We do not deserve your favour and help.
But we come because you are a God of mercy, compassion and love.
Amen
Kerith Trust 