Around the world, the COVID-19 crisis has forced countries to close their borders to protect populations from the virus. But despite its health benefits, this decision has caused great economic hardship cross-border workers whose survival on trade and free movement was suddenly interrupted. Now, they are facing destitution.

Although guaranteed by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child since its ratification by more than 192 states thirty-one years ago, the right to education is still denied today to more than 258 million children who are among the most vulnerable in the world. A shame as we celebrate the 31st Day of the Rights of the Child today.

The partial or total suspension of activity, due to the COVID-19 crisis, deprives millions of people of their sources of income. This is the case of Reena Paniwal and her husband Sunil, in India. To support them, Aide et Action encourages them and other villagers to follow a development and empowerment initiative.

Whether political, economic, health, natural disaster or conflict related, crises systematically exacerbate difficulties and inequalities normally encountered by girls in all countries. And the COVID-19 pandemic in this year 2020 will be no exception.

Faced with the fears of the pandemic, returnee migrants are facing discrimination at the hands of their own community members in the villages. Read how Aide et Action’s Virtual Community Volunteer Network is working rigorously to help the communities overcome COVID fears and promote inclusiveness.

Just a few weeks ago in the town of Katiola in Ivory Coast, Aide et Action launched an awareness campaign, as part of the project Local and International Solidarity for Development through Education (SOLIDE). Workshops aim to make parents aware about the importance of birth registration of their children. This situation goes beyond the borders of Ivory Coast and constitutes a concern on a global scale.

After more than two months of forced rest due to COVID-19, the students of the exam classes returned to school in Benin. But to prevent schools from being places where the virus is transmitted, it sometimes takes imagination.

In Sri Lanka, following the closure of our vocational training centers due to COVID-19, our skills development program, iLEAD, has adapted using technology. Thus, the trainees were able to continue their training across the country, despite the crisis. This initiative ensured all 372 registered students continuing with their regular online classes through their respective iLEAD centers in 14 locations.

Many schools in Benin do not have latrines or water points. This lack of health facilities makes many girls miserable, even pushing some of them to drop out of school. On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Aide et Action talks about its project to improve hygiene and sanitation in schools, developed in part to respond to this problem.

Since the start of the pandemic in India, Aide et Action has paid particular attention to migrant workers who are very weak from the situation. While our teams try to provide them with the support they need to avoid their displacement as much as possible, some families choose to return to their village of origin despite everything, at the cost of all the dangers. We continue to support them as well.