CBM Africa East and South Inclusive Development Focus

In 2022, CBM's Africa East and South Regional Office reached 9 million people through core activities with 98 partners across the region. Through the innovative use of technology from PEEK Vision, important eye care services were delivered in communities with limited resources. In addition, CBM's interventions focused on preventing neglected tropical diseases and empowering persons with disabilities through inclusive development projects that promote community engagement and awareness of their rights.

The year 2022 presented opportunities and challenges for CBM Africa East and South region. The resilience of our partners and persons with disabilities was tested as the world slowly adjusted to the new normal after the pandemic and after the start of the Ukraine war. The effects of the war were felt as the region grappled and still does with increased food prices, soaring fuel costs, insecurity and generally increased cost of living, which is worse for persons with disabilities. Additionally, unprecedented climate shocks were experienced,with severe droughts recorded in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Despite the challenging environment, CBM reached 9 million people who received services from our core activities working with 98 partners in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Our Inclusive Eye Health Initiative embraced peek technology, an innovative approach targeting the most vulnerable communities who are resource constrained and unable to easily access services. Door-to-door services using the technology are changing lives in communities. PEEK technology has been adopted in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Through mobile phones for screening eye conditions and referrals for specialized treatment, services are brought closer to the people who already have challenges accessing hospitals.

In our continuous effort to prevent and treat Neglected Tropical Diseases, CBM interventions in Africa East and South reached 7 Million people with mass drug administration in South Sudan, Burundi and Ethiopia. Through collaborations with the government, South Sudan embarked on a campaign to prevent trachoma through Surgeries and Antibiotic Administration.

CBM's community-based inclusive development projects reached persons with disabilities with services in health, education, livelihood, social and empowerment activities. The services were offered in health, education, livelihood, social and empowerment activities. In 2022, apart from service provision, activities that focused on the rights of persons with disabilities enabled families to understand their rights. As a result, community members were empowered to engage in their community and governance issues.

Moving forward we will continue to focus on a systems oriented approach to Community Support Services and Systems (CSS), ensuring that our interventions are viable, maximize impact, and stay true to our brand. This will be achieved through ongoing initiative areas of Inclusive Eye Health (IEH), Inclusive Humanitarian Action (IHA) and Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID).