ChildFund's COVID-19 Response by Region

In Africa, much as we see in other parts of the world, cases continue to rise – with increased incidence of cases among children. Few new COVID-19 cases have been reported in recent months in our supported communities, though continued measures remain in place to promote public safety. Compulsory mask-wearing is in effect almost everywhere. In Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Mozambique, nightly curfews remain in operation across the country. And even where vaccines are reported available to the general public, vaccination rates remain among the lowest in the world, especially since they are not successfully reaching rural areas. On a positive note, schools are open for in-person learning in most countries. Our programming across the region continues to follow safety measures when gatherings occur and to explore other virtual means for connecting with children and families. In most areas, the communications we support between sponsors and children are normalizing once again, though delivery of these precious messages remains slow.

A Snapshot of Life in Senegal

Adja, 17, contracted COVID-19 near the beginning of the pandemic in Senegal. ChildFund supported her family with a cash transfer and extra food during that time. “The hardest thing about being in the hospital was the quarantine – the loneliness, because I am not used to living away from my family,” Adja says. “When the staff of [ChildFund’s local partner organization] was informed about my health status, they spared no effort to provide me with encouragement. Every day, I received phone calls. … They reassured me and gave me advice, and their compassion touched me very much.”

Since our last report, new cases have been reported in only a few of the communities we serve. There was a countrywide decrease in the number of new cases in August (compared to the month of July, when the epidemic reached peaks around 200 cases per day). Like many of our program countries in Africa, vaccinations are available to priority populations only. As of mid-September, the percent of the Senegalese population reached with at least one dose was just under 7%. As of our last report, schools were still closed for their normal holiday period. In communities, compulsory mask rules and restrictions on public transport remain in effect. We continue our normal programming with strict safety measures in place. Mail systems are operational, though the collection and processing of messages between sponsors and children remains slow.

A Snapshot of Life in Zambia

Martha, age 7, pictured outside her home in Zambia with her dad. Martha was sponsored during a ChildFund social media campaign in November 2020 to find sponsors for children in areas of Zambia hard-hit by COVID-19.

New cases of COVID-19 continue to decline around Zambia. However, while vaccines are generally available to the adult population, the number of people reached remains low. Schools are open in person, but compulsory mask rules remain in effect. Our community programming has been adjusted in line with COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, including limiting numbers of participants for trainings and wearing face masks during activities. Mail systems are operational, though the collection and processing of messages between sponsors and children remains slow.

The overall COVID-19 situation across our program countries in Asia remains a challenge. Fast-spreading variants continue to affect the majority of countries. Some countries, like Sri Lanka and Cambodia, continue to face partial or complete school closures while others are open for hybrid learning. One bright spot is that vaccination across these countries continues to progress. In countries like Sri Lanka, India and Cambodia, the progress is significant. On the other hand, in countries like Philippines and Indonesia, vaccination rates are lower. These challenges continue to require creative solutions to programming, including virtual connections with families and, in some cases, resumed distributions of food and hygiene supplies to the most vulnerable families. Our ability to facilitate timely communications between sponsors and children has improved, though sending and receiving messages continues to be slow.

A Snapshot of Life in Philippines

In the Philippines, ChildFund has used technology to stay connected with children throughout the pandemic – like we did during this June training for youth advocates against child labor, held remotely via Zoom.

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continued to increase over the summer. The month of August saw a frightening record in new cases and deaths in a single month. Since our last report, new cases of COVID-19 have continued to be reported in all areas where we work. Dozens of children enrolled in our programs have tested positive (or been exposed to someone who tested positive) and have undergone quarantine. So far, all are reported to be recovering well. Local communities face curfews, closures of nonessential businesses and travel restrictions in the face of increased spread. While there is high willingness among the population to be vaccinated for COVID-19, the supply, so far, has been limited. Despite the steady increase of cases, our local partners are resuming implementation of regular programs – though implementation is sometimes paused due to the declaration of local lockdowns. Mail delivery services remain stable, though local restrictions make the process of collection and delivery of correspondence a slow one.