One Year of Adapting Our Projects to the Realities of COVID-19

For several decades, Global Communities and PCI, a Global Communities Partner, have taken a comprehensive, integrated approach to health programming. The merger of Global Communities and PCI one year ago coincided with the onset of the pandemic, and its responses are well informed by the rich history in health programming that each organization brought to the merger itself. Our responses to the coronavirus also reinforce the importance of our broader health programming, with an emphasis on social mobilization and health behavior change. The needs brought into focus by COVID-19 have reinforced the importance of our water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming, prioritizing community engagement, strong local partnerships, and long-term sustainability, everywhere we work. Additionally, access to clean water and appropriate sanitation facilities are a major factor in improving health – and conversely, the lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene is a significant contributor to disease and illness of all kinds, including COVID-19. With the onset of the coronavirus, we have accelerated WASH interventions across virtually all of our programs.

Global Communities and PCI know from vast experience that investing in basic public health infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, is one of the most cost-effective strategies for increasing pandemic preparedness, especially where resources are limited. In some places, we have new programs to combat COVID-19; in others, we’ve rapidly adapted existing projects to fit the new reality of COVID-19. We rely on the quick thinking and strong support of all our partners and funders. To sustain the progress we have already seen and to continue to advance safe hygiene and access to water in communities around the world, we have brought as many partners to the table as possible. The combined organization has been tested consistently and is demonstrating notable progress in the fight against COVID-19.

Read more in our Photo Essay on Exposure:

One Year of Adapting Our Projects to the Realities of COVID-19 by Global Communities on Exposure