Our Impact

COVID-19 Response

Emergency

COVID-19 IS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY UNLIKE ANYTHING WE’VE EVER SEEN.

With mass quarantines and lockdowns, this global pandemic is drastically impacting all of our lives.

But the threat it poses to children and families living in vulnerable communities around the world is catastrophic.

We know that the easiest way to halt the spread of coronavirus is through practising social distancing and good hygiene. But in sprawling refugee camps like Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, entire families live crammed into tents or temporary shelters without access to soap, water, or basic sanitation and hygiene.

Without the basics of soap and water they need to protect themselves, already vulnerable communities will be decimated once COVID-19 hits. And if that happens, millions of children will lose carers, education, and protection.

With more than 80 years of experience, Plan International is expertly placed to respond to this crisis. By supporting vulnerable communities around the world with hygiene kits, access to clean water, handwashing guidance and public health information, you can help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Where We’re Helping

Health

We’re providing support to local health authorities and community health workers with the training and resources they need to ensure the practice of safe hand hygiene. Prevent or respond to gender-based violence during times of increased need for home isolation.

Education

We’re ensuring children keep learning, even when schools close. We will distribute learning materials and help teachers to deliver distance learning. We will support parents and caregivers to provide safe home environments for both learning and play.

Child Protection

We’re bringing targeted psychosocial support to vulnerable households and children, such as women at risk of domestic violence and children living on the streets. Train members of the community who are well placed to care for children in case of a COVID-19 outbreak. Drive public health awareness of COVID-19 via TV, internet, radio, posters so communities understand the severity of the situation and ensure that everyone, including children, are looked after during this pandemic.

Sanitation & Hygiene

We’re working to increase water, soap and sanitation facilities in camps like Cox’s Bazar to urgently prevent the spread of COVID-19 in these already vulnerable community settings. Distribute public health information and supplies to contain the spread of COVID19, alter food and market attendance to phases and people limits, and establish systems to ensure that families will have the basic necessities in case they need to self-isolate or quarantine.

We are all part of this global community, and we’re facing this unprecedented humanitarian disaster together.

Cash Transfers & COVID-19 Awareness Raising with the Support of Irish Aid in Bangladesh

COVID-19 HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DERAIL A GIRL’S FUTURE

Kenza from Burkina Faso — Kenza, Burkina Faso

Soap, clean water and public health support are the first line of defence to stop the spread of COVID-19. But we also know from our experience responding to previous epidemics like the Ebola virus that girls and young women face additional danger during pandemics.

If girls or women are isolated at home, they’re more at risk of gender-based violence. Girls are also more likely to be married off early during times of economic crisis.

If schools close, all children will face interruptions to their learning, but for girls this could mean a permanent end to their education.

If existing food shortages become worse, girls and women are often fed the least and last. This can have a greater impact on their health – and leave them already weakened once the virus hits.

Our life-saving work to provide children with health, education and protection has never been more critical. The need for support has never been greater.

We cannot afford to wait on this. Will you donate today to help halt the spread of coronavirus?

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