Educo Bangladesh COVID-19 response provides food packs and cash support to over 7,500 poor families with children

Educo says that coronavirus ordeal may be far from over, posing long-term devastating effects on children living in slums and tribal communities

Educo Bangladesh has launched a COVID-19 emergency response to help ensure vulnerable children and their families survive the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic, providing cash support, food packs, and health hygiene support to 7,684 struggling families.

As in many parts of the world, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across Bangladesh has reached more than 55,000, including 746 deaths (IEDCR, as of 3 June 2020). Educo also expressed concerns over the impact of low-income families being unable to earn for their children and themselves during the lockdown.

Country Director of Educo Bangladesh Abdul Hamid says:
“We know that the ordeal is far from over even when the national lockdown has been eased, especially that many informal and subsistence wage earners have lost their jobs. We know from experience that loss of income for many vulnerable families will have lasting impact on the well-being and health of children. They are also most affected now that schools have been closed and many children do not have access to learning alternatives.”

Educo’s humanitarian response has provided 5,414 vulnerable families with 1,000 taka each, including families of children studying in Educo schools living in Dhaka’s slums and Narayanganj districts; and children and families supported by the organization’s anti-child labor project ODHIKAR (Options for Dignity of Human Being by Influencing Key Actors to Reform). In Rajshahi and Chapai Nawabganj districts, Educo distributed life-saving food packs containing 10 kg rice, 2 kg dal (pulses), 1 litre oil, 3 kg potatoes, and 1 kg salt to 1,000 plain-land Adivasi families, many of whom are vulnerable and marginalized.

To support the underprivileged children living in different brothels of Rajbari and Faridpur, Educo provided 1,270 food and hygiene kit packages (rice 5 kg, dal 2 kg, oil 1 litre, potato 3 kg, salt 1 kg, detergent 1 kg, 1 Soap and 1 mask) and 280 child-food support packages containing 1 kg sugar, 500g semolina, 250g milk and biscuits. The organization has implemented the response with the support of its three partners, namely Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO), Sachetan, and Shapla Mohila Sangstha (SMS).

In Bangladesh, since 1999, Educo has been working with children and their communities to promote just and equitable society with a vision of a world where all children fully enjoy their rights and lead a life of dignity. Educo appreciates the efforts of Bangladesh Government and stands in solidarity to ensure the well-being and protection of the most vulnerable children under these challenging circumstances. In future, Educo will continue its humanitarian programmes for the greater well-being of children and their families. Educo expects for a safe and secured world where every child gets the opportunity to realize their potentials.