COVID-19 Status Update for Child Sponsors

World Vision Cares

Child Sponsorship: Protecting Children's Health

The scale and spread of COVID-19 globally is a concern for us. In many countries where World Vision sponsored children live, the risks are even greater – health systems can be weak and many people won’t have doctors and health professionals to turn to if they fall sick. We are monitoring the situation in every country we work in.

Our Area Programmes supported by child sponsors are now focused on protecting children and community from the spread of the virus.

Child Sponsorship has made it possible for World Vision to respond to this crisis from the beginning.

We are supporting efforts by local health authorities, schools and local partners to prevent the spread of the virus, sharing stay-healthy messaging, helping to set up public handwashing stations, and distributing soap, sanitiser, and masks where appropriate. These preventative measures have always been an important part of our child sponsorship programme because in places of extreme poverty improving health, water, sanitation and hygiene saves lives – and now, more than ever.

To keep you informed on the situation in your sponsored child’s community, we will be providing reports here regularly. Please come back to this page for the latest updates.

You can also refer to our COVID-19-Child Sponsorship FAQs for more information.

In order to protect the world’s most vulnerable against the rapid global spread of COVID-19, World Vision has launched a Global Health Emergency Response to scale up prevention and relief interventions in 17 countries. Read more here.

[Last Updated on 15 May 2020]

Bangladesh (Wazipur)

Registered Children Affected in Wazipur Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Wazipur Area Programme: 0

The country of Bangladesh confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 7 March. The government has imposed a national shutdown, restricting people’s movement across the country. However, enforcing the restrictions has been a challenge, as day labourers have continued working in order to feed their families. World Vision has been working to limit the spread of COVID-19 by educating children, families and communities in prevention methods, with a special focus on refugees living in Cox’s Bazaar.

We have already reached over 703,000 people through COVID-19 awareness posters and social media messaging and have trained 1,200 faith leaders on how to share COVID-19 prevention messages in their own communities. We have provided more than 17,000 people with handwashing soap and buckets, set up 1,200 community handwashing facilities and we are also training community health workers, faith leaders and child protection workers on COVID-19 prevention, distributing food packs and cash vouchers, and providing vulnerable children with psychosocial support.

All of the communities we partner within Bangladesh are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. Most WV Bangladesh staff are working from home. We have put planned learning events and gatherings on hold so we can adapt our programme to respond to COVID-19 and help keep kids and communities safe, but we are continuing to check on families and provide them with prevention information by contacting families by mobile phone. Thank you for your vital support – we will continue to update you on how we are best supporting sponsored children and their communities at this challenging time.

Cambodia (Kirivong)

Registered Children Affected in Kirivong Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Kirivong Area Programme: 0

The country of Cambodia has confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the government has closed schools, cinemas and other public gatherings. Public transport has been suspended, travel between provinces has been banned and Vietnam and Thailand have closed their land borders with Cambodia.

World Vision is working with community networks to promote COVID-19 awareness and prevention and provide more than 726,000 people with basic hygiene kits including soap and sanitizer. We are partnering with the World Food Programme and the local government to distribute emergency food supplies to more than 21,000 vulnerable children. We are also launching a positive parenting and home-based learning social media campaign. And we are working with the government, UN and other humanitarian organisations to monitor the situation and coordinate the response.

All of the communities we partner within Cambodia are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. WV Cambodia staff are working from home where possible, or in our offices where necessary. We are working with community members to continue monitoring sponsored children’s wellbeing, as there is a risk of health and child protection issues increasing throughout the crisis.

China (Yaozhou)

Registered Children Affected in Yaozhou Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Yaozhou Area Programme: 0

The country of China was the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak and there are still restrictions in many parts of the country, including school closures and inter-province travel restrictions.

World Vision has been working to limit the spread of the virus by providing families and schools with basic hygiene supplies, equipping families with information about sanitation and mental health, supporting health systems and workers through the provision of personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, and helping children impacted by COVID-19 by partnering with the National Institute of Psychology on improving the capacity of teachers, psychologists and welfare workers to address the emotional impact of the virus. Over 350,000 people have been reached through water, sanitation, hygiene and health interventions.

All of the communities we partner within China have experienced restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. However, if the current recovery phase continues, it is expected that restrictions will continue to lift and schools may open in May. WV China staff continue to monitor sponsored children through community leaders and partners, via mobile phones and alternative methods.

Ethiopia (Yaya Gulele)

Registered Children Affected in Yaya Gulele Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Yaya Gulele Area Programme: 0

The country of Ethiopia confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 13 March. The country is also managing cholera outbreaks in two regions. The government has closed all land borders and introduced mandatory quarantine for all travellers arriving at airports. Schools have been closed and university campuses have restricted student entry. Public gatherings at sports venues and religious institutions have been banned. The number of passengers on public transport has been restricted.

World Vision is assisting the government with COVID-19 prevention to help keep kids and communities safe, working closely with the Ethiopian Public Health Institution. We are also assessing the needs of health institutions and health workers as we plan our COVID-19 response for the health sector, and have distributed protective equipment to five health facilities. We have also distributed food to people in quarantine and 20 water tanks that will help more than 12,000 children and 8,000 adults with good hygiene.

All of the communities we partner within Ethiopia are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays.

Indonesia (Ende)

Registered Children Affected in Ende Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Ende Area Programme: 0

The country of Indonesia’s first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on 2 March and thousands of cases have been confirmed since. The government has declared an emergency response, appointing provincial task forces, restricting people’s movement between provinces, imposing a travel ban for countries with high case numbers and requiring other travellers to present a health certificate.

 

World Vision is working to limit the spread of COVID-19 by educating communities about proper hygiene practices, installing handwashing facilities in high-traffic communities, providing soap to vulnerable families, providing personal protective equipment to health facilities in five communities, and training community health workers. We have also been supporting children affected by COVID-19 by providing families who have lost their source of income with access to food and nutritional support. And we are partnering with a local university to help identify online/remote learning opportunities and develop online classes, especially for children with disabilities.

 

All of the communities we partner within Indonesia are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. WV Indonesia staff are now working from home. Our emergency response teams, who had been working on earthquake and tsunami responses, will now focus on COVID-19 to help keep kids and communities safe. We are working to support the government and our other partners with preventative measures and establishing a system of care for children whose families are confined by COVID-19. 

Jeruselam, West Bank (South Hebron)

Registered Children Affected in South Hebron Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in South Hebron Area Programme: 0

The Palestinian Authority declared a State of Emergency over areas under their administration on 22 March and the Israeli Government has restricted all non-essential movement throughout the rest of the West Bank and Israel in response to COVID-19.

In partnership with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, World Vision is distributing information materials promoting COVID-19 prevention measures. We are supporting health workers by providing medical equipment, hygiene products and protective equipment to village councils and providing face masks and toys to quarantine centres. And we are working with church groups to develop training for parents on positive discipline techniques to use during the lockdown.

All of the communities we partner within this region are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. Most WV staff in the region are now working from home, with the exception of some roles essential to the COVID-19 response. 

Mongolia (Selenge)

Registered Children Affected Selenge Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected Selenge Area Programme: 0

There are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country of Mongolia. Thousands of people continue to be isolated and monitored as the virus emerges in the country and the government has extended a ‘high-level readiness’ period until 31 May The government has restricted travellers arriving through international ports and is providing on-the-job training for health workers on managing COVID-19.

World Vision has provided personal protective equipment like masks and coats to National Emergency Management Affairs and we have provided more than 7,000 families with food and hygiene kits in partnership with UNICEF. We have also distributed cash to 1,700 vulnerable families, including more than 5,600 children. We also now partnered with the government to launch a television and social media campaign on COVID-19 prevention and child protection, especially during quarantines, that will reach 75,000 people. And we have produced information sheets for parents on positive discipline, stress management and quality time with children. 

Myanmar (Taikkyi)

Registered Children Affected in Taikkyi Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Taikkyi Area Programme: 0

The country of Myanmar has confirmed cases of COVID-19. The government has ordered people to stay at home and avoid travel between villages, imposed a curfew from 10pm to 4am each day, banned gatherings of more than five people and asked non-government organisations not to conduct activities in communities with infections.

World Vision is working with the government to distribute personal protective equipment and medical supplies like masks, gloves, disinfectant, thermometers and sanitiser to health facilities. We are also providing internally displaced families with food supplies, cash, water purification tablets, soap, water buckets and COVID-19 information. We have developed education kits for children and online homeschooling training for caregivers. And we are advocating strong child protection during the COVID-19 response.

Several of the communities we partner within Myanmar are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. 

Nepal (Sindhuli East)

Registered Children Affected in Sindhuli East Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Sindhuli East Area Programme: 0

In the country of Nepal, the first COVID-19 was recorded on 23 January. The government closed all non-essential operations, suspended all domestic and international flights and long-distance public transport, and closed its borders with China and India in response. The impact of COVID-19 on the country is high – many people have already lost their jobs and sources of income as a result of the government restrictions, and health facilities will not be able to cope with a large scale outbreak of the virus.

World Vision is working with the government and other partners to increase awareness about COVID-19 prevention and to provide health workers with protective equipment and other medical supplies, to help keep kids and communities safe. We have already reached 15 million people through radio broadcasts with prevention and child protection messages on over 300 stations. Another 31,400 people have been reached through other digital platforms to raise awareness of COVID-19. We have distributed to handwashing soap to 5,100 families and food supplies to 2,000 families most affected by COVID-19. We are also assisting 32 local governments to set up and operate quarantine centres and are developing e-learning tools so that children can continue to learn if the lockdown is extended.

All of the communities we partner within Nepal are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. WV Nepal staff are now working from home. However, we continue to monitor sponsored children remotely via mobile phones. 

Philippines (Antique)

Registered Children Affected in Antique Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Antique Area Programme: 0

The country of the Philippines has recorded thousands of cases of COVID-19. The government has imposed restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, including school closures.

 

World Vision has been educating children, families and communities in prevention methods, especially focused on proper hygiene, using information materials, radio and TV, and distributing sanitation kits to vulnerable families. 1.4 million people have been reached through radio broadcasts and advertising with messages on infection prevention and control. We’ve also been strengthening health workers and systems by providing health facilities in vulnerable communities with disinfection kits and other medical supplies, and health workers with personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves. We have been supporting children affected by COVID-19 by helping ensure they have access to educational activities while schools are closed, providing families with fresh vegetables and cash transfers where needed, and ensuring families have access to low-cost insurance to address any health care or medical needs.

 

All of the communities we partner within the Philippines are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays.

Sri Lanka (Lindula)

Registered Children Affected in Lindula Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Lindula Area Programme: 0

The country of Sri Lanka has recorded cases of COVID-19 and some deaths. In response, the government has imposed an island-wide curfew, prohibited movement between districts and asked all people to work from home.

World Vision is focused on combatting the spread of the virus in Sri Lanka. We have provided four mobile toilets and 1,500 water bottles in the quarantine centre in Chilaw. We have also distributed 650 dry ration packs in Batticaloa and provided masks to a COVID-19 testing lab in Sri Jayawardenapura hospital. We are also working with the Government of Sri Lanka to educate communities on COVID-19 prevention.

All of the communities we partner within Sri Lanka are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. WV Sri Lanka staff are now working from home

Thailand (Bo Kluea)

Registered Children Affected in Bo Kluea Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Bo Kluea Area Programme : 0

The country of Thailand has confirmed thousands of cases of COVID-19. The government has closed schools, universities and all business operations except food stores and pharmacies, restricted movement across national and provincial borders, and banned all public gatherings in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.

World Vision is working to keep children safe by educating children, families and communities in how to prevent the virus and protect children’s mental, physical and social wellbeing through an online platform and social media, which will be rolled out nationally through school networks. We are also distributing hygiene kits to vulnerable families and working closely with provincial health authorities to reach migrant workers from Myanmar with information about COVID-19 prevention.

To comply with government restrictions, WV Thailand staff are working from home. All of the communities we partner within Thailand are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. We are still monitoring sponsored children through our community leaders and partners, via mobile phones and alternative methods.

Vietnam (Tien Lu & Son Tra)

Registered Children Affected Son Tra and Tien Lu AP: 0
World Vision Staff Affected Son Tra and Tien Lu AP: 0

Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the country of Vietnam. The government has closed all schools and banned large public gatherings in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. However, small gatherings are permitted and some child sponsorship activities can continue, while others will be delayed.

World Vision is sharing information on COVID-19 prevention and handwashing, and helping children cope with stress in the communities where we work. We are also working with the government, health workers and police to establish incident reporting mechanisms in quarantine and isolation centres to help protect children and other vulnerable people.

Most WV Vietnam staff are now working from home. However, we have worked with our partners to adjust our operations to meet safety guidelines while maximising our programme’s effectiveness.  

Zambia (Musosolokwe)

Registered Children Affected in Musosolokwe Area Programme: 0
World Vision Staff Affected in Musosolokwe Area Programme: 0

The country of Zambia recorded its first case of COVID-19 on 18 March. In response, the government has closed schools, restricted public gatherings, including church services, and imposed quarantines of people arriving from high-risk areas.

World Vision is partnering with UNICEF to equip health facilities and isolation centres with chlorinators, hygiene supplies, face masks, gloves and safe water, and to strengthen sanitation and hygiene, as well as infection prevention and control measures. We are also assisting 134 health facilities to strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene and infection and control measures, and have donated 40,000 masks and 20,000 gloves. We are training faith leaders on COVID-19 prevention measures so that they can share information with their communities and on a community radio programme, and we are sharing messages about the importance of protecting children during the crisis via social media.

All of the communities we partner within Zambia are experiencing restrictions due to safety measures, which will likely cause some operational delays. We are continuing our work to support vulnerable communities but have adapted our activities to meet the government guidelines, including restricting international and domestic travel. Some activities are being carried out in small groups and others are now taking place virtually.