To protect the vulnerable populations that we support on a daily basis, our teams are doing everything to provide an emergency response to the Coronavirus crisis. Each week, follow the evolution of our activities in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Here is the update on our various interventions as of April 25, 2020.
Wherever possible, Aide et Action mobilizes all its human and material resources to develop its projects in favor of the most vulnerable populations. Educating communities on prevention measures and providing them with basic support is our priority. In addition to the activities detailed in our special report, here are the latest developments:
SOUTH ASIA
In India, our teams have just launched a new distance learning app called iDream. This is intended to provide uninterrupted access to complete and appropriate educational content, allowing the holistic development of the youngest and the improvement of their academic and cognitive skills. By offering a range of learning modules not only in Hindi and English, but also in other local languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali and Oriya, it even allows children from ethnic minorities to benefit from educational continuity.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, there was a steep decline in the sale of “gamusa”, the traditional Assamese festive fabric which is usually in demand during the Bihu celebrations (Assamese New Year). In this situation, Aide et Action helped the communities reinvent the use of gamusa as masks to fight the corona epidemic. A similar initiative was taken up elsewhere in India by the trainees of our iLEAD professional training program and community members. Thousands of alternative protective masks are thus being produced.
In addition, the support of our teams for migrant workers is still in progress via a food supply and the defense of their fundamental rights with the authorities.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Many of our regular projects in Vietnam and Laos are still on hold due to strict containment measures. In these two countries, our teams are collecting information relating to the needs of communities in order to provide appropriate responses post-pandemic. Meanwhile, we have started to provide emergency materials such as soap and sanitizer to local authorities in Laos and to marginalized children in Vietnam.
In Cambodia, handwashing stations are still being installed in remote villages and food distribution activities are continuing with the most vulnerable families. Online distance learning is also being implemented to allow better care for early childhood and strengthen inclusive education. We are also working in partnership with UNICEF and Save The Children to develop a committee focused on providing accessible and inclusive education for marginalized groups.
AFRICA
In all our countries of intervention, Aide et Action participates in the global response of States to fight against the virus. This takes place mainly in terms of awareness, but also at the material level with the possibility of distributing hygiene kits or building handwashing stations in schools.
EUROPE
An emergency fundraising campaign was set up to support our activities on the field.
To implement all these urgent actions and to best adapt our projects to this emergency situation, we need our most loyal support more than ever to help us!
