UNICEF is responding to the outbreak by focusing on limiting human-to-human transmission and mitigating the impact of the outbreak on the health system and affected communities. I've included some of the WASH-specific activities the organization has undertaken below:
- Creation of child-friendly materials to ensure proper handwashing and protection against the virus (attached).
- Co-developed guidance<https://www.unicefusa.org/press/releases/covid-19-ifrc-unicef-and-who-issue-guidance-protect-children-and-support-safe-school> to protect children and support safe school operations alongside WHO and IFRC
- Provision of hygiene and medical kits to schools, health clinics and public spaces globally. Last week, for example, UNICEF shipped 12 tons of supplies<https://www.unicef.cn/en/press-releases/unicef-flies-additional-12-tons-supplies-support-chinas-response-covid-19> to support the response in China
- Preventative actions in communities across the affected countries with risk communication, including tackling misinformation. Examples include:
- Working with Facebook on prevention tips, anti-stigmatization, preventing misinformation. Facebook is also pulling in UNICEF, WHO and the CDC as the information sources of truth in their in-platform Coronavirus Information hub
- In Myanmar and Indonesia, UNICEF provided a 'chatbot'<https://www.unicef.org/innovation/stories/UReportCoronavirusIndonesia> to over 35,000 youth through its U-Report text messaging system to provide critical COVID-19 awareness and prevention activities
- And, for fun, I'm sharing this collaboration<https://www.instagram.com/p/B9oBS9PBcE2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link> our Viet Nam Country Office did on TikTok to encourage handwashing in a lighthearted way
You can also visit our Fighting Coronavirus<https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/covid-19> web page for the latest. We'll continue to provide updates, explainers for parents and teachers, and highlights of our work on the frontlines as new information becomes available.