Convoy Helps With COVID-19 Preparedness in Suriname
September 22, 2021 | 4:05 p.m.
In recent weeks, Suriname has seen a 900% increase in COVID-19 cases. Convoy of Hope is there providing help and hope to those affected.
Until recently, the pandemic’s impact on Suriname was fairly mild. The South American country averaged between five and 25 new cases per day. However, a recent spike in infections left Suriname reeling. The pandemic had a troublesome effect on the country’s already struggling economy. Many were left without work. Others lacked the supplies they needed to safely do their jobs.
“Suriname’s positive COVID-19 cases have continued to rise, bringing hospitals, clinics, and medical offices to max capacity and running extremely low on medical supplies,” said Kevin Bernal of Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team. “Many correctional facilities that have had outbreaks in their facilities have run out of masks and gloves to safely treat patients.”
“The situation in Suriname with COVID has become very bad,” one local partner told Convoy of Hope. “They are calling it ‘Code Black,’ which means every bed in the ICU is full.”
Convoy of Hope’s response to this crisis in Suriname provided supplies to keep affected individuals safe and to allow them the opportunity to continue doing their jobs. Distributions in communities across Suriname included masks, gloves, gowns, and safety glasses. Field partners issued vital supplies to those in high-risk, high-need locations like hospitals, correctional facilities, and dental clinics.
Everyone from frontline workers to government officials expressed their gratitude.
“We met with the president of Suriname who personally expressed gratitude, saying that he was very happy to find out that these containers were being donated to Suriname,” another local partner said.
“We’ve been able to supply many of the facilities around the country that have been desperately looking for medical supplies,” Kevin continued. “The staff in these facilities were surprised when our team on the ground would show up with these supplies and were beyond thankful for it. They have expressed gratitude that they were now able to treat patients safely and not have to worry as much about contracting COVID-19 themselves or passing it on to their families.”
Thanks to your support, survivors of this crisis are receiving the relief they need. To contribute to Convoy of Hope, click here.
