After the first case of COVID-19 was reported on 15 March, Tanzania has been under lockdown. The number of cases oficially reported is currently low, however, the data released by the government is questionable and it is widely believed that the true numbers are much higher. Videos of night burials circulating on social media add weight to this belief. Tanzania has a struggling and limited health system, there are 1.6 million people living with HIV and a growing infection rate (UNAIDS, 2019). The economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic will be devasting and long-lasting for vulnerable communities who were already struggling on a day-to-day basis.

Ace Africa Tanzania has been officially requested by the Ministry of Health to support COVID-19 rapid response activities in the Arusha Region and Sengerema District, Mwanza Region, to limit the spread of the virus and its wider impact on health and wellbeing. Ace Africa is extremely well placed to reach vulnerable groups and high-risk individuals including (a) Maasai population at risk because of their migration habits, lack of information and limited access to clean water and (b) people living with HIV, with limited access to treatment and healthy meals.

This application aims to tackle child hunger by providing targeted food packages to 80 of the most vulnerable households for a 3-month period and works alongside the other ALMT funded project. Just £25 covers the cost of one monthly food package containing essential food items, cooking oil and soap. All food packages are distributed through government offices and local health facilities, to minimise any risk of abuse by the public or endangering Ace.