The Impact of COVID-19 on Children in Cambodia
Joint Press Release
Phnom Penh, June 1st, 2020 – 6 child-focused organisations in the Joining Forces alliance released a joint statement and joint op-ed on the impact of COVID-19 on children in Cambodia and our recommendations to the Royal Government of Cambodia, development partners and civil society organisations to put children at the heart of all stages of Cambodia COVID-19 Emergency Response.
While the Royal Government of Cambodia, development partners and CSOs are sharing their concerns on COVID-19 and are currently developing plans to respond and/or responding to COVID-19, Joining Forces alliance suggests key priorities voiced by children and young people in our network to be taken into account including Education, Livelihood, Food Security and Child Nutrition, Prevention of COVID-19, Child protection, Health (including Mental Health, Water Sanitation and Hygiene), and Child participation.
Children Education get hit the hardest by COVID-19 in the Kingdom. According to survey conducted by Joining Forces and CRC Cambodia with children aged 10-17, while a very high proportion of children are reporting continuing some sort of home learning, half of them study for less than 10 hours a week, which is only half of what they would do on a normal week at school. Half of students face the challenges in accessing online learning materials because of internet connectivity. These concerns require strategic preparation and technical guidelines for all schools in the country.
A series of rapid assessments and surveys have also shown that COVID-19 is already having an intense effect on children’s well-being, we, as grassroots organisations, are especially concerned how vulnerable children, especially the girls and the disables, and marginalised communities will be able to cope with this wide-ranging educational, social and economic impact of this crisis.
Members of Joining Forces alliance are ready to collaborate and support the RGC in its nationwide coordinated efforts to respond and recover from Covid-19, so children will be safe.
The details of the challenges raised by the children and the recommendations made by the Country Directors of the six organisations of the Joining Forces are included in the full joint statement under the title: “Donors and government must put children’s rights at the heart of COVID-19 response” and the joint op-ed under the title: “Will we listen to them?”
NOTE TO EDITOR
What is Joining Forces? Joining Forces is a global coalition of the leading independent child-focused NGOs, united to advocate for renewed commitment to achieving the rights of all children. We advocate for all governments to demonstrate their support for internationally agreed standards for children’s rights, and in particular to back the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
MEDIA CONTACTS
Plan International Cambodia
Mr. Phearun Kuch, Strategic Communications Manager
Tel: +855 (0)17 563 520 or email: Phearun.Kuch@plan-international.org
World Vision International Cambodia
Ms. Ratana Lay, Communications Operation Manager,
World Vision International Cambodia. Tel: +855 11 915 925 or email: ratana_lay@wvi.org
Save the Children International
Ms. Sokpheap Say, Communications Manager, Save the Children. Tel: +855 12 682 770 or Email: Sokpheap.Say@savethechildren.org
Child Fund Alliance
Mr. Khun Pisey, Communication Coordinator, ChildFund Cambodia.
Tel: 012 469 007 or Email: khunpisey@childfund.org.kh
Terre des Hommes Netherlands
Ms. Zoe de Melo, Cambodia Project Manager,
Terre Des Hommes Netherlands. Tel: +855 92 211 260 or Email: z.demelo@tdh.nl
SOS Children’s Villages Cambodia
Mr. Chankosom Sour, Deputy National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Cambodia. Tel: +855 12 253 621 or Email: Chankosom.sour@soscvcambodia.org
Photo and Updated by: Chetra Ten