Merck Foundation "Stay at Home" Media Recognition Awards 2020 rewarded the best report on COVID-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo

H.E. Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, The First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation

Merck Foundation (www.merck-foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany announced the winners of the “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards 2020 for the Democratic Republic of Congo in partnership with H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

The theme of the awards was "Raising awareness on how to stay safe and in good physical and mental health during confinement due to coronavirus ”in an effort to separate facts from myths and misconceptions. 

H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, The First Lady of the Republic Democratic of the Congo and Ambassador of ‘Merck More than a Mother’ declared "I am very happy to announce the winners of the Recognition Awards “Stay at Home” Media, with our long-term partner, the Merck Foundation. The media have played an important role in disseminating facts and correct information on COVID 19 and in educating communities to stay safety, which had a significant impact in delaying the progression of this disease in our country. Congratulations to all the winners from my country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Keep doing great work, you help save Lives. " 

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, underlines: “I am proud to share the winners of the Merck Foundation “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards from DR Congo. They represent the best of reporting in the field of journalism and earned the award by standing out in a group of very impressive candidates. I want to congratulate all the winners. We are waiting looking forward to a long term association to raise awareness and be the voices of the voiceless, especially during such a global health pandemic. ” 

Here are the winners from the Democratic Republic of Congo in partnership with The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo: 

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS: 

FIRST Position: 

▪ Cassien Tribunal Aungane - Radio Centrale & personal blog named "Diplomacy & Development, "DRC (500 USD) 

▪ Mukanya Kafuata Andre - Mbote Africa, DRC (500 USD) 

SECOND Position: 

▪ Stéphie Manza Mukinzi - www.alertecoronavirus.wordpress.com, DRC (300 USD) 

WINNERS OF THE WRITTEN PRESS CATEGORY: 

First Position: 

▪ Mathy Musau Dinyika - Forum Des As, DRC (500 USD) 

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS: 

FIRST Position: 

▪ Muemba Wa Muemba Donat - Jua Services / Jua Magazine, DRC (500 USD)

SECOND Position: 

▪ Jessy Nzengu - Palmier Community Radio-Television, DRC (300 USD) 

THIRD Position: 

• Kazadi Lukusa Nicolas- Happy Day Broadcasting, DRD (200 US $) 

WINNERS OF THE RADIO CATEGORY: 

First position: 

▪ Aly Bukasa Kabambi - Butook Community Radio, DRC (500 USD) 

SECOND Position: 

▪ Jody Daniel Nkashama - Radio Okapi, DRC (300 USD)

The quality of the work received was impressive, which is why the Merck Foundation media introduced a second and a third position and has selected more than one winner, on certain occasions, for each of the four categories.

"The invaluable contribution of the winners to raising the awareness of their respective communities on COVID 19 encouraged us to reward them all so that they become Merck Foundation Alumni and provide them with one-year access to the online training program called "Master Course". Master courses are an immersive online experience and a self-paced learning course in English which can be accessed anywhere with the Internet. It is about motivating journalists passionate about continuing to write and defend social issues, economic and health issues in their countries, ”added Dr. Rasha Kelej. 

The Merck Foundation, created in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany. 

It aims to improve the health and well-being of people and advance their lives through science and technology.

The efforts are mainly focused on improving access to healthcare solutions health in underserved communities, research capacity building science and health and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), with an emphasis on women and youth. 

All press releases from the Merck Foundation are distributed by email as soon as they become available on the site Internet from the Merck Foundation on www.merck-foundation.com and also for more information and / or for register online: Merck Foundation, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Flicker.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor