World Vision commits more sh13b to COVID-19 fight

COVID-19 |

More than anyone, children have been left vulnerable to the risk of violence, hunger and emotional abuse as the country fights to control the spread of COVID-19.

To address the plight of the children during this period, World Vision Uganda has announced $4m (sh15b) to reach out to over five million children in the next five months.

World Vision national director, Jason Evans, Wednesday told the National Task Force to COVID-19 at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) that the programme will be implemented in 48 communities where World Vision is working.  This is phase two of its COVID-19 response programme.

"The aim of the phase two response program is to support five million Ugandan children together with their families and communities to adapt and thrive during and after COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

The expanded response, he said will focus on support for children impacted by COVID-19 pandemic through education, child protection, food security and livelihoods.

World Vision launched a sh3.7b initial COVID-19 emergency response programme to promote preventive measures to slow the spread of the virus and support health systems and health workers.

"Working closely with the health ministry and the district task forces, World Vision has so far been able to reach 4 million children and their families in 34 districts," he said.

He added that in their work with the district taskforces, they have established that besides the threat of COVID-19, communities are grappling with the indirect effects of the pandemic.

"For example, with the closure of schools, some disadvantaged children are unable to access online learning platforms even those on television and radio, let alone online," he said.

The COVID-19 response leader at  World Vision  Freddie Opoka said they will continue to work closely with key players such as the Government of Uganda, development partners, donors, non-governmental organizations, faith and cultural leaders, media, the private sector and the communities themselves, in order to combat the effects of COVID-19.

Globally, World Vision has launched $350m response programme that focuses on supporting the world's most vulnerable to combat the impact of COVID-19.

This will be executed in over 70 countries including Uganda where 37,000 staff, 400,000 faith leaders and 220,000 community health workers will be mobilized to support prevention and response initiatives.

The political overseer to National Response Fund to COVID-19, Mary Karoro Okurut lauded for the arrangement describing it as relevant and timely due to the increasing cases of violence inform of incest domestic violence among others during this period.

She said; "COVID-19 is a monster which can not only be fought by government. We call for more support of the kind."