Gov’t of Canada grants PWRDF $1.9M for AMCC partners’ COVID-19 response

On March 31, 2020, PWRDF’s All Mothers and Children Count program wrapped a successful four years supporting partners in Rwanda, Mozambique, Tanzania and Burundi. The $20-million program was the largest grant given to PWRDF to date and was supported with a 6:1 match from the Government of Canada.

PWRDF is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada has awarded PWRDF a $1.98-million grant to extend the work of the AMCC partners. The funds will support these vulnerable communities through the COVID-19 crisis. The grant includes a 6:1 match for a total project budget of approximately $2.3 million.

PWRDF is now accepting donations to the AMCC COVID-19 extension, with the Government of Canada matching every dollar donated with six dollars. Click here to donate.

When the coronavirus was declared a pandemic, Global Affairs Canada invited several NGOs who had been supporting maternal, newborn and child health programs to submit proposals for a COVID-19 response. PWRDF’s proposal was among 11 that were accepted. “We are honoured that Global Affairs Canada has approved an extension to the All Mothers and Children Count program,” says Will Postma, Executive Director of PWRDF.

The funds will support EHALE in Mozambique, Partners In Health Rwanda, Village Health Works in Burundi and the Diocese of Masasi in Tanzania as they work to ensure physical distancing, access to clean water, soap and disinfectant, acquisition of PPE and dissemination of reliable health information. The 12-month extension will allow our partners to maintain the important gains in food security and maternal, newborn and child health that have been made, thanks to AMCC.

Health workers at the forefront have taken great risks, said the High Commission of Canada in Mozambique on Facebook. “The more safety and training equipment we can provide them – the safer they will be. … We are delighted to be partnering with PWRDF in this work.”

The Office of the Canadian High Commission in Rwanda, which also represents Canada in Burundi, echoed those sentiments tweeting “we’re proud to provide PWRDF with the additional support to make sure health workers have protective equipment and the most vulnerable in Burundi and Rwanda have access to handwashing stations and information on COVID-19.”

We’re proud to provide @PWRDF with the additional support to make sure health workers have protective equipment and the most vulnerable in 🇷🇼 🇧🇮 have access to hand-washing stations & information on #Covid19. @CanadaDev pic.twitter.com/jgVhIoMEtZ

— Canada in Rwanda and Burundi (@CanadainRwanda) June 25, 2020

Says Postma: “This grant is a reflection of our organizational and program audits, our network of volunteers, our support of gender equality and the overall quality and impact of our programs that value local communities and respond to the most vulnerable.”

You can help

Please support this program and get your 6:1 match by giving to the AMCC COVID-19 extension or calling 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail at 1-(866) 308-7973 and we will return your call. You may also mail a cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2.