Navigating Through COVID-19 Uncertainties

I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during this challenging time. As we are navigating through the COVID-19 uncertainties, it is important than ever to stay connected with one another. More than ever, World Vision is committed to delivering hope and joy to the most vulnerable children around the world. As of 12 May 2020, our Global COVID-19 Response has reached 28 million people, including 11 million children.
       
In addition to supporting measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus and protect the health of the children, World Vision’s response also looks to protect children from the indirect impact of the pandemic. Although the proportion of children directly afflicted by COVID-19 remains relatively low, there are still significant impacts on the protection and psycho-social well-being of children resulting from quarantine measures, school suspensions as well as the infection and stigmatisation of their caregivers. These indirect impacts can put children’s education and safety in jeopardy as well as lead to adverse implications for economic well-being of their families. Some communities may be hit harder by these indirect impacts than the disease itself.

Our mission does not change, but how we achieve our mission is changing. We are learning to be nimble yet still yielding high impact. World Vision China is planning the following child protection measures to alleviate some of the effects of indirect impacts:
·        Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Mental health support has been identified as a key area by the Ministry of Education. In collaboration with academic institutions, World Vision will support training to teachers to acquire relevant MHPSS skills. Children with acute stress will be identified by teachers and referred to professional counsellors and social workers for follow-up.
·        Protection of children from violence, exploitation and abuse. In partnership with academic institutions, World Vision will support the training of directors of children centres at local level. By leveraging the local child protection systems and our child protection programmes, we aim to protect children from cyber bullying, domestic violence and social exclusion, as well as encouraging positive parenting.
·        Support to children adversely affected by quarantine and loss of family members. We will partner with professional organizations to provide training to social workers on giving psychosocial support to children and their families, particularly those who have symptoms of trauma after quarantine, separation from families.

As part of our “It Takes a World to End Violence Against Children” (EVAC) campaign, we are organizing a 15-day positive parenting public education engagement during May 24-June 7 in order to facilitate a loving and harmonious family environment.  The theme this year will be the “Five Love Languages” and will be promoted on various social media (for example on WeChat).

If you are interested in finding out more about our child protection work, please do not hesitate to contact us. As you are an important partner, we would also love to hear how you are doing during this time. We would love to spend some time whether virtual/or in person (with our masks!) to share how together we can positively impact the lives of vulnerable children.

With sincere thanks!