WINDHOEK, Namibia – The First Lady of Namibia’s One Economy Foundation, with support from UNFPA Namibia Country Office and other partners, hosted the #LoveProtects pop-up vaccination campaign in Soweto, Katutura on 30 June 2022.

The campaign titled ‘Do Your Part’ aims to drive up the COVID-19 vaccine uptake by taking vaccination services closer to the community. Located in the capital city Windhoek, Katutura is one of the country’s fast-growing residential settlements. 

On 29 June 2022, the vaccine uptake in Namibia stood at 24 percent, lagging behind the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s target of 70 percent.  A total of  221 people were vaccinated during the pop-up campaign.

UNFPA and its implementing partners, the Society for Family Planning (SFH) and the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA) supported the event by providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. The #Condomize campaign also provided SRH and HIV prevention, information, and services targeting young people.

Led by young people, the Condomize campaign provides young people with key messages on sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV, and skills on how to use condoms correctly and consistently.  A total of 168 people were reached through the #Condomize campaign, while 5 242 condoms were distributed at the event.

Speaking during the #LoveProtects pop-up vaccination campaign, President Hage Geingob urged Namibians to get vaccinated, stressing that the country has witnessed hundreds of deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

First Lady Monica Geingos emphasised: “Vaccination remains important and is the key way is to protect each other. The Love Protects campaign aims to have everyone protected through vaccination.” 

Since the onset of the pandemic in Namibia, UNFPA, other UN agencies, and partners have been supporting the Government’s response to COVID-19.  UNFPA’s support includes procuring and delivering essential supplies, ensuring continuous access to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services, and promoting risk communication and community engagement, among others.