ChildFund Supporters “a Lifeline” for Children in Need Amid COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2020

ChildFund Supporters “a Lifeline” for Children in Need Amid COVID-19

Richmond, Va. (March 23, 2020) – As the world reels from the COVID-19 pandemic, ChildFund is gravely concerned about the potential impact of the disease on the children and families it serves worldwide. The child-focused international development organization is undertaking urgent efforts to protect vulnerable communities from the disease throughout the 24 countries it serves.

“Poverty makes children much more vulnerable in any disaster,” says Anne Lynam Goddard, President and CEO. “Health systems are weak, clean water is hard to access, and livelihoods are already fragile. COVID-19 could cause devastating, exponential harm to children and families in poor communities.”

ChildFund is coordinating with government ministries of health and education and other partners in affected program countries to bolster efforts to protect children from COVID-19 and sustain critical services.

To help families stay healthy, the organization is also ramping up its ongoing hygiene and sanitation efforts so that that communities have plentiful and well-equipped handwashing stations, clear guidance on their use and a full understanding of why handwashing is more important than ever.

ChildFund supporters themselves are joining in these efforts through the organization’s Real Gifts Catalog, which offers items specifically requested by communities ChildFund serves – including handwashing stations. The stations are currently the catalog’s most popular item.

“This pandemic is an undeniable reminder that we really are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers,” says Goddard. “The acts of kindness filling social media show it. Our generous donors’ giving to help children on the other side of the world affirms it. People are showing that they understand how each of us can be a lifeline to another, and that gives me hope.”

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ChildFund International works throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas — including the United States – to connect children with what they need to grow up safe, healthy, educated and skilled, no matter where they are. Last year, we reached 13.6 million children and family members in 2* countries. About 200,000 Americans support our work by sponsoring individual children or investing in ChildFund programs. Find out more at www.ChildFund.org.