FACT SHEET #1, FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2021
JULY 2, 2021
Countries across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)1 are experiencing a third wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, with the number of new weekly confirmed cases rising by more than 20 percent in 22 African countries during the second week of June, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO); weekly confirmed cases rose by nearly 30 percent across the entire continent during the same period. Lack of adherence to COVID-19 mitigation measures, colder seasonal weather in Southern Africa, and the spread of more contagious COVID-19 variants are all likely contributing to the rising caseloads, WHO reports. While the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations is increasing across the continent, less than one percent of Africa’s population is fully vaccinated.
In response, the U.S. Government (USG)—including USAID—is seeking to reduce COVID-19 cases and mortality in SSA while limiting the negative social and economic impacts of the pandemic. Working with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), USAID aims to facilitate widespread and equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines; reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, limit transmission, and strengthen health care systems; address immediate needs resulting from the pandemic; and promote recovery. Across SSA, USAID is supporting partners to conduct COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities, train health care workers, and distribute emergency food assistance, among other programs.
To date, the USG has announced plans for the allocation of the first 80 million donated COVID-19 vaccine doses to support global COVID-19 vaccination efforts, which includes vaccines for African countries selected in coordination with the African Union.
