Stadtlandkind has been supporting the children's rights organization since 2018 Save the Children. Especially now, in the current corona crisis, we think it is important to show solidarity. The virus is spreading rapidly and worldwide. As long as children have no previous illnesses, a corona infection is usually harmless. However, if parents and guardians become infected, children's health, nutrition and protection also suffer. The situation is particularly risky in poor regions and for displaced families who have little or no access to basic care. In addition, schools are closed in almost all countries where the coronavirus has broken out. This means that children are severely restricted in their right to education and play. This also has an impact on their future now and in the long term.
Examples of Save the Children's global project work
Save the Children is on the ground in over 120 countries to prevent the worst from happening and to support children and their families. The children's rights organization already has experience in preparing for and combating epidemics, as existing projects have helped to contain diseases such as yellow fever, cholera, measles and Ebola and support affected communities.
Sierra Leone
Schools in Sierra Leone were closed for nine months during the Ebola epidemic five years ago, which deprived 1.8 million children of a full school year. To ensure that children could continue learning from home, Save the Children developed lessons that were broadcast over the radio and worked with more than 720 teachers to reach around 104,000 primary school children. Save the Children is now working to replicate and continue these live radio programs during the school closures caused by the coronavirus. There will now be a feedback mechanism in the lessons and children will be encouraged to rate the radio program. Teachers, parents and children will have the opportunity to communicate via SMS how the lessons can be improved so that the program achieves its goal in the best possible way.
Switzerland
Save the Children has been working on the topics of child-friendly accommodation and care in the asylum sector since 2016. Based on the current situation, the entire coaching and training program in asylum homes must be discontinued until further notice. Child-friendly rooms have also been closed in most homes to ensure the protection of parents, children, staff and other residents. Save the Children therefore developed an emergency package during the coronavirus pandemic with simple instructions for activities (coloring pictures, educational games, simple folding games, yoga exercises for children) and a basic set of play and learning materials (e.g. paper, pens, balloons, dice, soft balls). These materials enable asylum-seeking parents and staff at asylum centers to offer children learning and play opportunities in a limited space, with few materials and across language barriers. If required, further sets of materials or a refill of basic materials can be added.
Bangladesh
Since August 2017, over 900,000 Rohingya have fled from northern Myanmar to Bangladesh to escape massive violence and human rights violations. More than half of them are children. In the world's largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, it is almost impossible to comply with hygiene measures. That is why Save the Children is setting up hand-washing stations in educational facilities there. They are also training children, teachers and school administrators on protective measures. Thanks to Save the Children, a total of almost 1,200 toilets, 605 washing stations and an additional 290 women-friendly sanitary facilities have already been built and operated. Save the Children operates a center for primary health care, which is open around the clock.
Left: Video "Stay home...and make an origami heart! and Learning and play sets
A guest article by Kim Kobelt, Save the Children
