Mask, Distance, Hygiene: UNICEF calls for respecting COVID prevention measures in order to protect every child in Kosovo

Prishtina, 19 June 2020 – As the number of COVID19 cases continue to grow, UNICEF calls for taking care of your health and wellbeing and protect others. While the speed and scale of the outbreak are posing countless challenges, UNICEF makes a call to continue taking three simple precautions to reduce chances of being infected or spreading COVID 19:

• Wear mask in public spaces.
• Maintain at least 1.5meter distance between yourself and others.
• Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.

“Protecting health of children and communities remains a top priority for UNICEF.  We are partnering with institutions, civil society, media parents and young people in order to respond and recover from effects of COVID. A lot of progress has been made however much more needs to be done in establishing a new normal. I practice and I call everyone to practice three simple steps “mask, distance, hygiene” to protect each other– said, Murat Sahin, Head of UNICEF Kosovo Office.
Since the start of the outbreak, UNICEF has secured 7.1 tons of personal protection equipment’s (PPE’s) to Ministry of Health, with 10% being distributed to K-Serb health institutions. 20,000 family hygiene and baby kits have been distributed through Red Cross of Kosovo to families in need with the financial support of USAID in Kosovo and Government of Luxembourg. UNICEF will continue providing technical assistance, provision of essential supplies, effective communication support to ensure that the rights of children and their families are protected.

Over the coming months, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the WHO, UNICEF will bring in additional 37.5 tons of personal protection equipment (PPE’s) for front line health workers. These critical supplies are made available through the generous support from the Government of Luxembourg 19 tons (2,476,900 units PPE’s), Embassy of Japan in Kosovo 9.5 tons (993,750 PPEs) and UN’ COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund 9 tons (916,700 PPEs).
UNICEF recognizes efforts of donors, institutions and other partners and is committed to continue with this strong partnership in order to meet the needs of affected people by COVID - 19.