The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the lives of everybody with children in particular having been robbed of their chance to enjoy summer vacation inasmuch as they are now marching back to school with dread.
Even getting basic health services and vaccinations have become troublesome for parents and their children because of the fear of getting infected with COVID-19. Not to mention, children are now more prone to online exploitation.
With these issues in mind, UNICEF has been working hard to assist the Philippine government to protect children from the negative impacts of the pandemic.
Japan has been a huge help, donating over $730,000 to the organization since the crisis started.
With the money, UNICEF was able to procure a number of medical and health items such as mops, buckets, dippers, alcohol dispensers, cleaning cloths, brushes, bleach, ethyl alcohol, and laundry detergent, as well as 2,000 jerry cans of water and water purification tablets, and 2,000 hygiene kits containing soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, and sanitary napkins.
The organization also installed temporary drinking water points, temporary water points for hygiene and sanitation, and semi-permanent toilet and handwashing facilities in over 20 healthcare facilities.
Training modules were developed on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), and these eventually benefited 16 cities, one municipality, and many more.
UNICEF also focused on the mental health and psychological needs of children training 50 Philippine Red Cross call center volunteers on counselling those in need.
Said UNICEF Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov, "Partnerships are essential to bring life-saving support to children and their families. We cannot do it alone. During the COVID-19 crisis, the Japanese government and its people have again mobilized much-needed resources to protect Filipino children and their families."