UNICEF and USAID started distributing hygiene kits to 660 schools and personal protective equipment’s against COVID- 19 to around 10,000 students and teachers

Prishtina, 22th of August - Every child is eager to get back to school meet their friends and teachers. Life during the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for parents and children alike. As the preparations are under way to reopen the schools UNICEF, in partnership with USAID is taking every effort alongside with partners to ensure a new normal in every school for every child in Kosovo.

Today, UNICEF together with USAID in Kosovo and the Ministry of Education, visited one of the schools that benefited from this support. Hygiene kits and personal protective equipment for students and teachers were distributed to “Naim Frasheri” primary and lower secondary school in Prishtina.

The principal of the School Shqipe Vllasaliu - Mehmedi has warmly welcomed this support stating the difficulties that they might have during the education process because of the pandemic.

The Minister of Education in Kosovo, Mr. Ramë Likaj, expressed his gratitude, emphasizing that the back to school process is a challenge for everyone. “In times like this, you see who your true friends are. I am more than happy to have friends like UNICEF and USAID who are supporting us on the challenge that we're facing to bring every child back to school", said Mr. Ramë Likaj.

While the head of USAID Kosovo, Mrs. Lisa Magno said that “Fighting COVID-19 will help our kids to go to school safely. We are in this together “

Mr. Murat Sahin, Head of UNICEF Office in Kosovo emphasized that UNICEF is making every effort to protect children and their families, empowering young people and providing protective equipment’s for schools and health care centers.

As part of the Back to School campaign, UNICEF with support from USAID will distribute in total: 33,000L of liquid soap, 36,740L of hand sanitizers, 33,000 of bleach disinfectant, 1,320 infrared thermometers, 4400 face shield masks, 29700 face masks, 7700 cap face shields.

660 primary and secondary schools will receive hygienic kits consisting of: 50L of liquid soap, 50L of hand sanitizers, 50L of bleach disinfectant and 2 infrared thermometers for each school

2200 teachers will receive protection kits consisting of: 2 face shield masks, 3 face masks, 1L hand sanitizer, 1 notebook and 1 tote backpack with COVID-19 prevention messages

7700 first grade students will receive protection kits consisting of: 1 cap face shield, 3 face masks, 200ml hand sanitizer, 1 notebook and 1 tote backpack with COVID-19 prevention messages

Decisions on control measures in schools and school closures and openings should be consistent with decisions on other physical distancing and public health response measures within the community
It’s crucial that schools plan ahead and look at what additional measures they can put in place to help ensure students, teachers and other staff are safe when they return, and communities are confident in sending their students back to school.