MEC hands over Vehicles to fight Covid - 19
By Nande Fayo
Social workers are sitting in a unique position during this COVID 19 pandemic, one that’s often overlooked. From offering emotional and mental health support to educating the larger community, their role entails navigating what is often a complex and evolving situation.
During the preliminary stages of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development social workers were provided with information and training on COVID 19 to disseminate accurate information to the public, to provide psycho social support services to all the affected people and their families and also to promote better coordination in preventing and responding to cases.
The provisioning of psychosocial support services as well as prevention services through the implementation of a compendium of Social and Behavioural Change Programme is very central in the mandate of the Department of Social development as specialist interventions that are a necessary professional advise and guidance by Social Service Professionals (Social Workers) to assist people infected and affected by COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Cape. The Department has in this context a compelling mandate to intervene and deal realistically with the emotional and social distressful situation exerted unduly by COVID-19 pandemic particularly to the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised groups of people. This has thus necessitated the Department to revitalize and refocus its interventions and resources to strengthen its capacity at the family and community level.
It is against this background that MEC Siphokazi Lusithi handed over twenty one (21) vehicles (4X2 bakkies) to districts and metros of the province. Districts that benefited from the distribution are predominantly rural and far-flung. The fleet is an addition to the establishment of 164 Psycho-social Support Services Response Teams with not less than 7 Social Workers in each team, spread accross in all 8 Districts including Metros, totalling to 1260 Social Service professionals deployed in the province to assist people infected and affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
During the handing over MEC Lusithi said those who are anxious or impacted by the pandemic might need outside support in prioritizing self care, which is where social workers play another essential role. She said a well-supported, appropriately equipped, empowered, and protected social service workforce is essential to mitigating the damaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Social service workers can build on their existing strong ties to children, families, and communities to rapidly respond in ways that are effective. However, to do so, they must stay safe and be well equipped. They can serve as a neutral sounding board, working with clients to develop coping strategies to manage anxiety and provide non-sensationalized information”.
The vehicles are an addition to the 352 fleet of vehicles the Eastern Cape department has.