Introduction of the organization
YPSA (Young Power in Social Action), an organization in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN-ECOSOC), is a voluntary non-profit organization for sustainable development registered with the different department of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh including NGO Affairs Bureau contributing in national goals for making a difference in the lives of population since its establishment in 1985. YPSA, a fleet of professional staff specialization in the five thematic areas of Health; Education; Human rights and Governance; Economic Empowerment; Environment, Climate change and Disaster Management. At present YPSA’s direct program interventions reach in Greater Chittagong Division including Chittagong Hill Tracts and Dhaka and Gazipur district. YPSA has membership with more than 50 national and international organizations and networks. YPSA also has working relations and partnerships with different local CSO/CBO/DPO/Youth Organizations across the Country and sharing skills and resources for different programmatic objectives and activities. For more details please visit our organizational accessible website www.ypsa.org.
Programmatic interventions in response to COVID-19
Since its inception in 1985 (International Youth year), YPSA has been working for the poor and vulnerable population of the society in Bangladesh. YPSA has made its response to any disasters and emergencies of the people in the country. In such a crucial situation of Coronavirus pandemic in Bangladesh YPSA, being a humanitarian organization, has come forward for ensuring support to the people who are most vulnerable and low income people in Chattogram division.
The COVID-19 incidence has been increasing geometrically and situation become worsening day by day even in Bangladesh. To prevent the spread of Corona Virus, government has already declared shut down of all educational institutions across the country and all offices as well as public transports. Government has postponed all national events, banned all types of mass gathering and restricted people to stay at 
home and strictly maintains social distancing including daily hygiene practices. In this current situation in Bangladesh, the low-income and disadvantage people face the frightful prospect of not being able to afford their day to day livelihood needs and the most need hygiene facilities to save their lives. They lost their work/jobs and earnings and they cannot go out for work. They are starving because they don’t have money to buy their daily food, and life-saving hygiene materials they need at the crucial moment. Elderly people, Person with Disabilities, pregnant women and children are on the front lines. They are not only the most vulnerable for COVID-19 but they’re also among the poorest, illiterate, and do not have knowledge about hygiene practices. As a result, Government has urged all including communities, national and international NGOs, private sector to extend their supports to work along with the government to combat the Corona crisis situation.
YPSA has already taken following initiatives for staff and program participants in greater Chattogram division considering the escalation of COVID-19 at community level –
- Development of different BCC materials [print copy, soft copy, accessible materials (DAISY & EPUB book) for person with visual and print disabilities] as per WHO and IEDCR guidelines and distribution as well
- Awareness campaign among the staffs and program participants through PVC board, leaflet distribution, social media campaign, distribution regular program broadcasting by Radio
- Giri FM99.2 (YPSA Community Radio) and Radio Dwip (YPSA’s Internet Radio) etc.
- Special campaign for returnee migrants in the working area in coordination with BMET as well as referral; campaign for host community and local service providers in eco-tourism spots;
- Formed COVID-19 emergency response team including regional sub-team
- Special emergency procurement circular for COVID-19
- Distributed 20,000 leaflets and stickers with the messages of COVID-19
- Provided PPE to Physicians, health workers and field workers
- Distributed Hand gloves, Mask and Haxisol among the Community Volunteer
- Published articles on CORONA virus at local, national and online media
- Distributed around 4000 food packages to extreme poor, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), Ship Breaking workers in Sitakund, Kawkhali , Cox’sbazar and slums of Chattogram city by YPSA and CBO/DPO partners and Local Government
- Attending regular coordination meetings with the relevant government departments and following government instructions in relation to the COVID-19
- Establish a communication system to monitor and response to COVID-19 within staff and program participants in the working areas
COVID-19 response program in the host community and in Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar with the support of donors and YPSA’s own fund;
- Training and orientation to all Staffs of YPSA
- Orientation to all Volunteers and Caregivers of YPSA
- PPE, Hygiene kits distribution to all field Staffs
- Orientation to Mazi and Religious Leader
- Audio awareness session in local dialect/Rohingya Language in the camp
- 16,000 leaflet distribution in the camps and host community
- Hygiene kits distribution in Camp and host community-9000 Packages (Hand Wash, Mask, Gloves, Soap, Washing Powder etc.)
- Orientation to 1320 Students at 14 Schools in the host community
One of the major challenges is distribution of necessary food and essentials to the appropriate people in the hard to reach area in the lock down situation. Besides, even having precaution, health safety of staff working at the outdoor in the field is also a major concern for organization.
Future outlook and recommendations
The situation may be more deteriorating in coming days and holistic responses is essential to face this crisis. There is chance arising social unrest if entitlement of food and household essentials is not ensured; hence long term plan of actions is needed to deal this crisis. It would be better if there is a specific multistage (short, medium 7 long) plans of action for this COVID-19 crisis ensuring involvement of all relevant stakeholders including private sectors, NGOs, CSOs, International organization working in Bangladesh and donor agencies. Considering this situation, YPSA want to continue the following efforts until the problem is solved.
- Continue awareness campaign among the staffs and program participants including social media campaign
- Continue broadcasting special program by Radio Sagor Giri FM99.2 and Radio Dwip (YPSA’s Internet Radio)
- Distribute all together 100,000 food packages to extreme poor, PwDs, ship breaking workers, slum dwellers and other marginalized people
- Continue distribution of hygiene kits
- Emergency response program for COVID-19 affected communities
- Continue distribution of PPE to Physicians and health workers and field workers
- Regular coordination with the relevant government departments and following government instructions in relation to the COVID-19
- Keep regular contact with the respective partners/ donors and related stakeholders for the emergency response project for COVID-19 crisis
We are closely observing the day to day COVID-19 situation in Bangladesh especially in YPSA’s working areas. If there is any massive change of this situation, YPSA will be taking appropriate steps from its own stand point and as per Government policies and directions.
See more of YPSA’s work in COVID-19 response
- YPSA Website: www.ypsa.org
- More about YPSA resposne to COVID-19: http://ypsa.org/2020/03/ypsa-initiatives-to-the-response-to-covid-19-in-greater-chattogram-bangladesh
- YPSA Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/YPSAbd/
- Radio Sagor Giri FM99.2 (YPSA Community Radio): https://www.facebook.com/SagorGiriFm992/videos/
Contact details of Organization
Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive
YPSA (Young Power in Social Action)
House # F (10) P, Road # 13, Block-B, Chandgaon R/A, Chittagong-4212, Bangladesh
Tel: +88-031-671690, 672857, Cell: +8801711- 825068
Email: ypsa_arif@yahoo.com, arif@ypsa.org,
Website: www.ypsa.org
