The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in East African countries in the middle of March and since then numbers have been gradually increasing in the region. This is a region affected by many issues, such as intercommunal conflict, displacement due to these conflicts and also the heavy impact of climate change, including floods, droughts and locust invasion. Access to healthcare for many populations is already restricted. We are facing in this situation global shortages of many supplies, such as personal protective equipment. MSF is preparing our staff in terms of having the necessary means to protect them and working together with the ministries of health in the region in conducting trainings regarding infection prevention and control, preparing triage and screening areas, and also preparing the layout for isolation and treatment centres.