Save the Children responds to outbreak in Mindanao

ILIGAN City ― Save the Children Philippines, under the ReAch 2 TEACH project funded by European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, supports the government’s initiatives on mitigating the risk of Covid-19 in the areas of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and parts of Northern Mindanao.

The project’s response to Covid-19 seeks to reduce further transmission of the virus and mitigate its impact through hygiene promotion and distribution of portable and child-friendly hand washing facilities in key sites and checkpoints around Iligan City, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao.

“We want to focus on the needs of children, girls and boys, women and elderly, and families in a conflict situation. In focusing on their needs, we include IP children and persons with disabilities. We also need to ensure that children, women, and girls are protected at all times,” said Edwin Horca, Save the Children Philippines, Team Leader- Barmm Offices.

To provide support to hard-working local frontliners, food packs were also distributed weekly in public and private hospitals and checkpoint areas in Iligan City and Marawi City.

A total of 500 health workers and security personnel were reached. This ensures that their basic needs are met, as well as, to sustain their physical well-being while responding to the Covid crisis in their respective areas.

Save the Children, as an organization, is committed to serve and address the needs of children, families, and communities at all times especially in times of crises and emergencies. Most of the Save the Children staff here in Mindanao responding to the crises are away from their families and loved ones.

“We do what we can, with what we have, where we are. We draw inspiration and strength from each other in providing service for the children and families, a mission entrusted to us,” stated Horca.

The organization is keen to share a message of hope with the belief that there is still a better tomorrow for our children and our children’s children.

“Our next steps are reaching more the disadvantaged children and families by providing hygiene kits, provision of food vouchers for families to access nutritious food, raising awareness on key messages on Covid 19 prevention, preparing and supporting distance learning or alternative education, and supporting livelihoods in close collaboration with DTI’s shared service facilities that will benefit families and households who are still recovering from the Marawi crises,” Horca added. (PR)