UNICEF and the Red Cross join forces to support the most vulnerable children and families
during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Crnogorski
- English
PODGORICA, 23 April 2020 – In order to support the most vulnerable children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF and the Red Cross of Montenegro are launching a joint initiative that will last until October 2020.
It is only through the joint actions of all partners that we can ensure that every boy and girl remains healthy and safe and continues to learn and develop despite the crisis caused by coronavirus.
The coronavirus crisis has not affected all children and families equally. Unfortunately, those who were on the margins of society before this crisis are at a higher risk now. For this reason, this joint initiative of UNICEF and the Red Cross is focusing on identifying and supporting the most vulnerable children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to provide them with essential hygiene products, as well as support in the fields of education and child protection.
The situation caused by coronavirus has negatively affected many vulnerable categories that the Red Cross supports, but it is critical to support children so that they can grow, develop and continue with their education in the best possible way.
Thanks to UNICEF’s professional and financial assistance, Red Cross employees and volunteers will be trained to recognize threats to the safety and wellbeing of children, including neglect, violence, gender-based violence, exploitation, social exclusion and the risk of separation of children from their parents or guardians. In addition, Red Cross volunteers will be trained on how to report such suspicions to the authorities in a safe manner.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Education and with the support of UNICEF, primary and secondary schools will prepare materials for learning at home. These will be distributed to Roma girls and boys through the network of Red Cross volunteers with the aim of helping them re-establish learning routines in their homes.
With the intention of preventing the spread of the epidemic, UNICEF will be working with the Red Cross to deliver hygiene parcels and diapers to Roma and Egyptian households across the country. The first delivery of 2,000 hygiene parcels and diapers will be completed by the end of the month.
In this way, UNICEF and the Red Cross, together with partners from the Government and the non-governmental sector, will support Montenegro in its efforts to make the protection of all children one of its priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
