FH’S RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS

How is Food for the Hungry (FH) responding to this global pandemic?
How is FH’s health and hygiene programming in our fields preventing the new coronavirus?
How is FH helping families who have lost their jobs or can’t work during this crisis?
How is FH staff sharing COVID-19 prevention messaging while maintaining a safe distance from partners and community members?
How is FH working with governments or ministries of health in their local responses to the global pandemic?
How can I help those affected by the coronavirus?

SAFETY OF FH COMMUNITIES & SPONSORED CHILDREN

Have any sponsored children been diagnosed with COVID-19?
What are FH’s concerns for children and communities we work with?
Can I still write to my sponsored child?
How is FH supporting my sponsored child’s education during this time?

ABOUT

What is the new coronavirus or COVID-19?
How did the new coronavirus first start and spread?
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
How can I prevent getting the disease?
Where can I find out more information or updates about the impact of coronavirus in specific countries?

How is Food for the Hungry (FH) responding to this global pandemic?

FH is actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening promotion of health and hygiene practices in all areas of operation so communities can remain healthy and virus-free. Our ongoing community-level programming in Africa, Asia, and Latin America places our staff in a unique position to pivot quickly to best meet the needs of vulnerable communities that could be impacted by the coronavirus. FH programs also enable community leaders to quickly mobilize and respond to threats or hazards, such as disaster or disease. Read below to see specific ways FH is responding in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Africa
FH is partnering with LifeNet International, an organization that provides quality sustainable healthcare in Africa. LifeNet’s ongoing partnerships with health clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, and Malawi enables their staff to train health professionals in COVID-19 identification and treatment, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), and share easy-to-understand messages about preventing the spread of the virus.

In Mozambique, FH is working with UNICEF to provide life-saving support through several health and hygiene projects. Handwashing stations will be provided or constructed where needed. Communities will receive COVID-19 prevention training on handwashing, social distancing, and home-based isolation prevention measures. Staff will help rehabilitate community water supply systems. A new latrine will be built at a health center designated for quarantined COVID-19 patients. Additionally, food voucher distributions are being conducted and doubled in Sofala Province to ensure families who are still recovering from the impacts of Cyclone Idai are prepared for potential shortages.

Asia
In Bangladesh, FH is already working with Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, running four health clinics and training community health workers alongside our partner Medical Teams International. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have begun to work with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and UNHCR to ensure the provision of supplies such as masks and hand sanitizer as needed. In case of a potential outbreak, preparations are underway to accommodate for quarantine, the lab capacity to confirm cases, and house isolation units. In the meantime, the promotion of key health and hygiene practices are being shared by Rohingya community health workers in ways that combat stigma and do not incite fear.

In the Philippines, FH staff are distributing food baskets to support vulnerable families in communities we currently operate in. This distribution helps address food security needs during lockdown quarantine measures. Nearly 9,000 households will receive a food basket.

In Cambodia, FH staff are using cell phones to share COVID-19 prevention messages with Village Health Volunteers in vulnerable communities, who then disseminate this life-saving messaging with 900 families. Additionally, FH will be working closely with UNICEF and health centers to distribute hygiene kits.

Latin America
In Peru, FH has successfully coached community leaders on requesting support from municipalities to provide free clean water, so families and children can practice life-saving hygiene behaviors. FH staff are also helping leaders develop lists of vulnerable families that may require extra assistance or distributions during this time, so that the government can be mindful of their needs.

In Bolivia, FH staff included COVID-19 materials provided by the Ministry of Health in cascade group lessons related to handwashing and acute respiratory infections.

In the Dominican Republic, FH staff are preparing COVID-19 training materials and providing hygiene kits to cascade group mother leaders and other vulnerable community members.

To help prevent COVID-19 in communities living in extreme poverty, you can give to FH’s Where Needed Most fund to equip our staff to continue offering life-saving support.

How is FH’s health and hygiene programming in our fields preventing the new coronavirus?

A distinctive part of FH’s ongoing programmatic strategy in the areas of health and hygiene is providing access to resources, such as clean water and soap, and helping local leaders promote life-saving practices, such as handwashing in homes and schools. FH cultivates close relationships with leaders and heads of households, which allows us to act as a trusted source of information and advice.

Additionally, FH supports communities in gaining access to health care through clinics, medicine, and professional assistance where needed. FH has supported health programs for nearly 50 years, and our work has contributed to the prevention and response to diseases such as cholera, diphtheria, and others.

How is FH helping families who have lost their jobs or can’t work during this crisis?

COVID-19 prevention measures such as social distancing and quarantine lockdown have impacted the livelihoods of vulnerable families. As they are unable to leave their homes to go to work, many have lost their jobs. With no source of income, they are unable to afford basic necessities, such as food and water. To help alleviate the loss of income, FH is providing households with food vouchers and food basket distributions in some of our program areas.

How is FH staff sharing COVID-19 prevention messaging while maintaining a safe distance from partners and community members?

The safety of FH staff, partners, and communities is a priority. FH is adapting programming to ensure adherence of WHO and national government guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus. This includes leveraging already established community networks, such as cascade groups and community health workers, to help educate and inform families about COVID-19 and prevention measures. The use of technology such as cell phones is also being employed to share life-saving health and hygiene messages with community networks.

How is FH working with governments or ministries of health in their local responses to the global pandemic?

FH is actively leveraging our longstanding collaborative relationships with local governments and ministries of health to coordinate responses through sharing materials and resources around preventing COVID-19 and distributing critically needed medical supplies. For example, in northern Kenya, FH is working with the local government to procure personal protective equipment (PPE). Similarly, in Guatemala, FH has provided the Ministry of Public Health with urgent supplies such as face masks and gloves for use in rural areas.

Have any sponsored children been diagnosed with COVID-19?

FH has had reported cases of COVID-19 among sponsored children. If the child’s parents request it, we will inform the sponsor. For privacy reasons, we are not releasing news of the illness of a child or family member without the request of the parent.

We are vigilantly monitoring the situation in each of our countries of operation in case this changes. In addition, all of FH’s country offices are orienting their staff on how to confront an outbreak should one occur in their area.

What are FH’s concerns for children and communities we work with?

During global crises such as the new coronavirus pandemic, the most vulnerable places on earth are unequipped to handle such a life-threatening outbreak. Our global staff is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of all children and communities we serve. Their wellbeing is our highest priority. Through vigilant monitoring and planning, we are working to shield vulnerable communities from any COVID-19 outbreaks.

Can I still write to my sponsored child?

Yes, you can still write to your sponsored child/children. We encourage child sponsors to continue writing letters, as now more ever, sponsored children need inspiring words and prayers for safety and health. However, it should be noted that during this time, there will be a delay in sending and receiving letters so our staff can focus on the immediate needs of each sponsored child’s community. It will still mean so much to sponsored children everywhere to receive letters from their sponsors no matter when they get delivered.

How is FH supporting my sponsored child’s education during this time?

Your sponsored child’s education is a top priority for FH, and we will continue working with communities to support learning throughout this crisis. A distinctive part of FH’s ongoing programs is partnering with caregivers, teachers, and communities to support children throughout their education. Our programs support a holistic, integrated approach, promoting evidence-based interventions that improve child learning.

What is the new coronavirus or COVID-19?

COVID-19, or novel coronavirus disease 2019, is a contagious respiratory illness that can spread from person to person through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The illness manifests in symptoms that include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

First identified on December 31, 2019, in Wuhan, China, the World Health Organization (WHO) named the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic in March 2020. The pandemic has claimed thousands of lives worldwide and the number of confirmed cases is continuing to rise each day.

How did the new coronavirus first start and spread?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illness in either people or animals. COVID-19 is a novel (or new) virus that is believed to have originated in animals (from a live animal market) and emerged to infect people. The first confirmed case was detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, on December 31, 2019. Coronavirus is now spreading from person-to-person and is generally spread through respiratory droplets. Additionally, it is possible for a person to contract coronavirus by touching an infected surface and touching their face afterward.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of the new coronavirus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may appear after 2-14 days after exposure and can range from mild to severe illness, including death.

How can I prevent getting the disease?

As there is no current vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the CDC recommends preventing illness by avoiding exposure. The CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself from the virus include the following:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid contact with other people in your community by practicing “social distancing” measures.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
• Wear a facemask if you are sick, but do not if you are healthy.

Where can I find out more information or updates about the impact of coronavirus in specific countries?

You can stay up to date on all country-specific information on WHO’s website or through its interactive map tracking the latest confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide and by country.

How can I help?

Your generous donation will help vulnerable families get access to clean water, soap, and knowledge that prevent the spread of disease. Thank you for helping FH staff continue offering life-saving resources that keep children and families safe and healthy.