WeCAPS supports West and Central African ports in fight against COVID-19
Western and Central Africa Port Security (WeCAPS), a European Union project implemented by Expertise France, which contributes to strengthen the security and safety of West and Central African ports, is committed to supporting the efforts of ports in the region to manage and mitigate the impact of the new coronavirus.
In these times when the global threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic has triggered dire consequences for whole societies and nations, the maritime industry is playing an essential role in the response. In view of this, it is important to allow maritime trade to continue and that world’s ports remain open.
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The European Union reacted promptly in response to this crisis and WeCAPS adapted its operations adopting measures to protect the personnel working in port communities and ensure the continuity of maritime operations, a statement issued in Accra last Tuesday has said.
WeCAPS approached the ports - partners of the project, in consultation with the European Union Delegations concerned and Expertise France - with a series of actions to support them in facing this crisis situation.
The statement said a knowledge-sharing and distance learning platform, concerning biological risk, with a focus on the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus and the associated COVID-19 disease, has been made available by WeCAPS and through Expertise France.
This will enable port actors to have a good basic knowledge of the disease, its modes of propagation and the measures to be implemented to protect all personnel.
The project, developed by the project's civil protection expert and based on the operational procedures of European fire and rescue services, aimed at port authorities and first responders, which will enable them to continue their activities and carry out safety and security missions while respecting "barrier" gestures.
According to the statement, WeCAPS will provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and operational response equipment to deal with the health crisis.
These include mainly thermometers, protective suits and disinfection equipment, prioritising their purchase in order to engage local markets, with the support of the French Directorate for Security and Defense Cooperation (DCSD), partner of the project, and the EU Delegations, which have listed the needs of partner ports and referenced suppliers.
The equipment should be delivered as soon as possible.
The actions seek to help WeCAPS to partner ports to address their urgent needs, enabling them to cope with the urgency of the situation and to maintain their activity operational, in order to continue supplying the countries of the region, the statement added.