Oxfam

An Oxfam volunteer tells schoolchildren in Aleppo about the four key times for handwashing, based on the Mum's Magic Hands curriculum
An Oxfam volunteer tells schoolchildren in Aleppo about the four key times for handwashing, based on the Mum's Magic Hands curriculum

Altogether we estimate we reached over 155,000 people.”

A volunteer, in Deir-ez-Zor, Syria

I'm a Volunteer in Syrian Arab Republic

Using MMH in Oxfam’s Covid-19 response in Syria

Altogether we estimate we reached over 155,000 people.”

A volunteer, in Deir-ez-Zor, Syria

In Syria, having access to soap and water is not only the first line of defence against Covid-19 but for most people the only line of defence. Despite this, an Oxfam study in 2020 found that many people were unaware of how to keep themselves safe from the virus – especially when it came to knowledge of handwashing and social distancing.

That's why, with the support of Unilever and FCDO, we launched a project in Syria to protect the most vulnerable people against the impacts of Covid-19. We did this by improving access to safe handwashing facilities and trusted information to shift handwashing and hygiene behaviour.

Mum's Magic Hands was a critical aspect of this. We trained over 40 community-based volunteers, or 'Mum's Magic Hands Champions' to conduct MMH sessions across Aleppo, Damascus and Deir-Ez-Zor. They held the MMH sessions in homes, schools, neighbourhood courtyards, and community centres, reaching over 40,000 participants.

These participants were encouraged to share their knowledge of handwashing, hygiene and Covid-19 prevention with their families and peers. Altogether we estimate the scalable MMH approach reached over 155,000 people.

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