Annual Report 2020

UNICEF SRI LANKA Annual Report 2020

REIMAGINING A BETTER SRI LANKA FOR OUR CHILDREN Annual report coordinator: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Section, UNICEF Sri Lanka Editors: Louise Moreira Daniels, Chief Social Policy; Lara Perera, Programme Officer, PME; and Nalika Unantenne, Consultant, UNICEF Sri Lanka Photography: All photographs ©UNICEF Sri Lanka

©UNICEF Sri Lanka 2020 CONTENTS

Message from the Representative 4 In a Nutshell: Key Results in 2020 6 Children in Sri Lanka 7 Looking Back: 2020 in Review 10 Early Childhood Development 11 Children in Middle Childhood 13 Adolescence 15 Social Policy and Child Rights Monitoring 17

Communications, Advocacy and 20 Partnerships

Efficiency and Effectiveness: 22 Delivering Programme Results

The World Changed: 24 Emergency Response in 2020

We did it Together! Partnerships and 36 Collaborations in 2020

Live and Learn: Lessons Learned and 38 Innovations

Acronyms 40 in the region to recover the high rates of coverage) and maternal care. Message Dear Partners, The crisis also provided an opportunity to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in primary healthcare centers, early childhood from the Dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a challenging year for centers, schools and in high-density, low-capacity urban settlements. Sri children in Sri Lanka. We saw several lockdowns, schools closed for long Lanka’s robust response to the pandemic was recognised and praised Representative periods, industries suffer (including many where women are regionally and globally; however, challenges persisted. over-represented), job losses, and Sri Lanka slipping back to a lower-middle income country status in the middle of the year. Nationwide school closure for most of the year disrupted learning for 4.7 million students. Accessibility to and quality of alternative learning In 2020, UNICEF led the charge to respond, recover, and reimagine a Sri programmes varied significantly, widening learning gaps. In September Lanka fit for children, and amidst the unique challenges of the year, we 2020, the telephone survey indicated that only 59 per cent of households had some wins. Your support played a key role in these achievements. had online learning equipment/resources. To minimize learning losses,in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF provided study packs Guided by our UNICEF Country Programme 2018-2022, we worked for 665,000 Grade 1 and 2 students. swiftly to assess the impact of the pandemic on families and children and to help address them. We did this by conducting four rounds of nationally School closures and restrictions on movements also had a major impact representative surveys (three over the telephone and one face-to-face) to on child protection, mental health and children’s well-being. Children's collect information to inform our response, as well as that of partners and routines and social support were disrupted. More stressors were placed Government. Initial results, in early May, showed the severity of the on parents and caregivers who had to find new childcare options or crisis: 39 per cent of respondents said they lost all income and a further forego work. All this made children more vulnerable to violence and 32 per cent lost some income. This forced too many families to adopt psychosocial distress. Reports of domestic violence and harsh discipline potentially damaging coping strategies, like using up savings, taking extra increased, and anecdotal evidence suggests an increase in suicidal loans, pawning and selling assets. Food security was also threatened, thoughts amongst adolescents and young people. with families reducing their food consumption, particularly of nutritious food. Subsequent survey rounds still showed similar results, despite It became clear that the COVID-19 crisis was, and still is, a child rights some improvement. crisis. With strong and continued advocacy from UNICEF Sri Lanka together with other stakeholders in Child Protection, the GoSL declared Our history of responding to crises means that UNICEF has been a key child protection/care services as essential services during the curfews partner to the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) in tackling the COVID-19 and the child helpline was strengthened to support the higher volume of pandemic. The GoSL quickly recognised the need for both a health and calls. Unfortunately, we saw increased demand from families to place fiscal response to the COVID-19 crisis. It put in place one of the world’s children in institutions as they could no longer make ends meet. UNICEF most robust COVID-19-control approaches. This helped contain the continues to support the GoSL to effectively respond to the crisis, while spread of the virus for most of the year. The GoSL also initiated a strengthening available systems to ensure that essential services still relatively large social protection response, which reached most of the reach all children, particularly those most vulnerable. population and offered some level of financial support for two months. The response was impressive in scale and scope, with new recipients The pandemic is still battering our health system, disrupting regular life, registered and payments made at a remarkable speed. In close and increasing household vulnerability. We recognise that the path ahead collaboration with the GoSL and other partners, UNICEF delivered multiple is still challenging, but we will continue to deliver on our mandate to risk communication mass media campaigns, media engagement and protect and promote children’s rights, help meet their basic needs, and digital and social media activities to raise awareness on COVID-19 expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF knows prevention methods. These reached a viewership of 12 million on mass how to help children recover from crises, including the current pandemic. media and gained over 44 million views and over 7.9 million engagements But we can act more swiftly and efficiently if we work with you, our on social media. trusted partners. Together, we can prevent the pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children. The strict containment measures allowed Sri Lanka to limit COVID-19 transmission and reopen businesses and schools towards the end of the We take this opportunity to thank all our partners for their commitment second quarter. However, reduced incomes and food insecurity had and trust in UNICEF. We sincerely hope you will continue to work with us aggravated already critical levels of malnutrition among children. A study to reimagine a better Sri Lanka for our children, now and post-pandemic. conducted by the Medical Research Institute in urban Colombo showed a drastic increase (34 per cent) in child wasting. At that time, more than 50 per cent of eligible children were currently not receiving essential nutrition commodities, a situation that remains challenging.

The GoSL managed to quickly reorganize and prioritize essential maternal Emma Brigham and child health services, ensuring continued access to life-saving Representative a.i. interventions. These included child immunization (being the first country UNICEF Sri Lanka

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 4 in the region to recover the high rates of coverage) and maternal care. Dear Partners, The crisis also provided an opportunity to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in primary healthcare centers, early childhood Dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a challenging year for centers, schools and in high-density, low-capacity urban settlements. Sri children in Sri Lanka. We saw several lockdowns, schools closed for long Lanka’s robust response to the pandemic was recognised and praised periods, industries suffer (including many where women are regionally and globally; however, challenges persisted. over-represented), job losses, and Sri Lanka slipping back to a lower-middle income country status in the middle of the year. Nationwide school closure for most of the year disrupted learning for 4.7 million students. Accessibility to and quality of alternative learning In 2020, UNICEF led the charge to respond, recover, and reimagine a Sri programmes varied significantly, widening learning gaps. In September Lanka fit for children, and amidst the unique challenges of the year, we 2020, the telephone survey indicated that only 59 per cent of households had some wins. Your support played a key role in these achievements. had online learning equipment/resources. To minimize learning losses,in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF provided study packs Guided by our UNICEF Country Programme 2018-2022, we worked for 665,000 Grade 1 and 2 students. swiftly to assess the impact of the pandemic on families and children and to help address them. We did this by conducting four rounds of nationally School closures and restrictions on movements also had a major impact representative surveys (three over the telephone and one face-to-face) to on child protection, mental health and children’s well-being. Children's collect information to inform our response, as well as that of partners and routines and social support were disrupted. More stressors were placed Government. Initial results, in early May, showed the severity of the on parents and caregivers who had to find new childcare options or crisis: 39 per cent of respondents said they lost all income and a further forego work. All this made children more vulnerable to violence and 32 per cent lost some income. This forced too many families to adopt psychosocial distress. Reports of domestic violence and harsh discipline potentially damaging coping strategies, like using up savings, taking extra increased, and anecdotal evidence suggests an increase in suicidal loans, pawning and selling assets. Food security was also threatened, thoughts amongst adolescents and young people. with families reducing their food consumption, particularly of nutritious food. Subsequent survey rounds still showed similar results, despite It became clear that the COVID-19 crisis was, and still is, a child rights some improvement. crisis. With strong and continued advocacy from UNICEF Sri Lanka together with other stakeholders in Child Protection, the GoSL declared Our history of responding to crises means that UNICEF has been a key child protection/care services as essential services during the curfews partner to the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) in tackling the COVID-19 and the child helpline was strengthened to support the higher volume of pandemic. The GoSL quickly recognised the need for both a health and calls. Unfortunately, we saw increased demand from families to place fiscal response to the COVID-19 crisis. It put in place one of the world’s children in institutions as they could no longer make ends meet. UNICEF most robust COVID-19-control approaches. This helped contain the continues to support the GoSL to effectively respond to the crisis, while spread of the virus for most of the year. The GoSL also initiated a strengthening available systems to ensure that essential services still relatively large social protection response, which reached most of the reach all children, particularly those most vulnerable. population and offered some level of financial support for two months. The response was impressive in scale and scope, with new recipients The pandemic is still battering our health system, disrupting regular life, registered and payments made at a remarkable speed. In close and increasing household vulnerability. We recognise that the path ahead collaboration with the GoSL and other partners, UNICEF delivered multiple is still challenging, but we will continue to deliver on our mandate to risk communication mass media campaigns, media engagement and protect and promote children’s rights, help meet their basic needs, and digital and social media activities to raise awareness on COVID-19 expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF knows prevention methods. These reached a viewership of 12 million on mass how to help children recover from crises, including the current pandemic. media and gained over 44 million views and over 7.9 million engagements But we can act more swiftly and efficiently if we work with you, our on social media. trusted partners. Together, we can prevent the pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children. The strict containment measures allowed Sri Lanka to limit COVID-19 transmission and reopen businesses and schools towards the end of the We take this opportunity to thank all our partners for their commitment second quarter. However, reduced incomes and food insecurity had and trust in UNICEF. We sincerely hope you will continue to work with us aggravated already critical levels of malnutrition among children. A study to reimagine a better Sri Lanka for our children, now and post-pandemic. conducted by the Medical Research Institute in urban Colombo showed a drastic increase (34 per cent) in child wasting. At that time, more than 50 per cent of eligible children were currently not receiving essential nutrition commodities, a situation that remains challenging.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 5 In a Nutshell: Key Results in 2020

EARLY CHILDHOOD MIDDLE CHILDHOOD 1,500 Million 665,000 Sri Lankan rupees additionally allocated by the GoSL in Grade 1-2 students in all public schools received 2021 to produce Thriposha, a supplementary food for activity-based study packs with parental guides in local pregnant and lactating women as well as to children languages so that they could keep learning at home with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) under age five. during pandemic-related school closures. UNICEF with the MoE also undertook a National Survey on Learning Continuity and a study to understand the impact of 11% COVID-19 on education. Both of these provided critical Reduction of children residing in childcare institutions evidence to inform education reforms and future crisis seen after the roll-out of the National Policy for preparedness plans. Alternative Care of Children. Generation of evidence on issues of violence against children Including a landmark study on bullying that is helping inform evidence-based policy action in this area.

ADOLESCENCE SOCIAL POLICY & CHILD RIGHTS MONITORING Amendments to the Children and 4 Young Persons Ordinance Rounds of a nationally representative socioeconomic survey were conducted to understand the socioeconomic Which, once approved, will increase the age definition impact of COVID-19 on households and inform response. of a child in conflict with the law from 16 to 18 so that they are treated as minors under the law and no longer incarcerated with adults. Child-sensitive public finance analyses Ongoing education curriculum Strengthened the case for investing in children. reform process High-quality analyses such as estimates on the economic impacts of COVID-19 and of different social protection Is helping UNICEF bring a stronger focus on soft skills, responses, investment case on Universal Child Benefits social cohesion, disaster risk reduction and climate (UCB), Budget Briefs, Public Expenditure Review, among change across the continuum of education. others were produced and disseminated to relevant stakeholders and the public at-large.

COMMUNICATIONS, COVID-19 RELATED ADVOCACY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PARTNERSHIPS Over 2 million children, women, men and health care workers Were assisted to curb the spread of COVID-19 and 16 million people ensure that maternal and child health services Reached through COVID-19 risk communication and continued. This was done by providing essential community engagement, including mass media guidance, equipment and supplies including isolation campaigns, media engagements, engagements with facilities in hospitals, and handwashing facilities in over religious leaders, senior leaders and children, digital and 7,000 schools and preschools. social media activity and private sector partnerships. 66% Launch of BetterParenting.lk Of Sri Lankan households are estimated to have received emergency cash transfers from the GoSL. website UNICEF’s evidence-based and strategic policy For public-focused messaging on parenting, focusing recommendation contributed to this social protection on some of the stressors and challenges facing parents response. Advocacy for inclusive social protection to in the new-normal context. respond to COVID-19 is ongoing.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 6 Children in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to a little over six million children under the age of 18. Despite the island’s high literacy rate and robust public health system, the health and wellbeing of this most vulnerable population—our children—are still under threat and compromised at many levels.

Country Profile

Sri Lanka is an island Our population is There are 6,146,567 4.1 per cent of the located in the Indian 21,803,000, with the children under the population lives under Ocean, southwest of sex ratio being age of 18. the national poverty line. the Bay of Bengal. 48M:51F. Around a quarter of the population lives just above the poverty line.

Sri Lanka’s literacy rate Life expectancy at birth Sri Lanka is a lower middle is 92.5 per cent. is 75.5 years. income nation with a GDP per capita (at current market price) of USD 3,852.

References: UNICEF Sri Lanka Country Profile; Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), 2016; Labour Force Survey, 2018; Annual Report, Central Bank, 2019; World Bank, WDI.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 7 Key Indicators on Children

Neonatal Stunting in mortality children under five 7 per 1,000 live births 17.3 per cent in 2016 in 2016

Number of children in Percentage of 3-4 year olds attending early residential care childhood centers or an 10,632 children in 379 early childhood residential care homes development centre 60 per cent in 2016

Secondary Economic education total vulnerability of enrolment families (age 15-16) 75 per cent of children live 86 per cent in 2016 on less than Rs.506 per day, while 36 per cent live on less than Rs.278 per day

References: Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2016; Department of Probation and Child Care; World Bank, Sri Lanka Education Sector Assessment, 2017; Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), 2016. Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 8 Main Challenges Faced Tackling the Challenges: by Sri Lankan Children UNICEF’s Key Targets 2018-2022

Malnutrition The rates of acute malnutrition, or wasting, remain Reduce the percentage of stunted stagnant over decades and extremely high at 15 per cent. under-five children to 13 per cent.

Poor Quality Education Increase net enrolment rates in secondary Despite the high literacy rate, the quality of education is education to 90 per cent. low. This is shown by the failure of the education system to nurture skills in children that are needed to thrive in a Increase the participation rate in organized competitive economy, and big differences in learning learning at age four to 80 per cent. achievements by province, gender, income, and location.

Corporal Punishment Despite the drafting of a Cabinet Policy Paper to ban Reduce the percentage of girls and boys physical punishment (that is still pending submission), (aged 1-14) who have experienced corporal corporal punishment rates remain very high. A 2017 NCPA punishment. study covering the Colombo, Galle, Moneragala, Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, and Nuwaraeliya districts, reported an 80.4% rate of at least one episode of physical punishment among 948 students.

General Poverty and Vulnerability Poverty and income insecurity affect families around the Increase the number of people covered by island and more work needs to be done to support families the social protection system by 5 per cent. to ensure that children are not denied opportunities simply because of the family they are born into or where they live.

Ethnic Tensions and Misunderstandings Ethnic and/or religious tensions can disrupt community and Implement the National Action Plan on family cohesion, impacting the wellbeing and even safety Education for Peace and Reconciliation. of children.

Climate Change Invest in communities by prioritizing the Sri Lanka is the sixth most vulnerable country in the world resilience and adaptability of education, to the effects of climate change, with children suffering the health and protection services to Climate most from its direct physical impact. Change issues and disasters, in communities across Sri Lanka.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 9 Looking Back: 2020 in Review

UNICEF Sri Lanka works with the Government of Sri Lanka and other partners to respond, recover, and reimagine a world fit for Sri Lankan children. 2020 was undoubtedly challenging across many fronts. However, we recorded significant achievements for children, providing technical and financial support to the Government to achieve many positive results for children and support the realization of their rights around their lifecycle.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 10 Early Childhood Development (0-5 years)

What happens in the first five years of a child’s life sets the stage for the rest of their life. During this period, a child who is raised in an environment that provides proper nourishment, learning, and safety will thrive as an adult. In Sri Lanka, despite decades of interventions across all these areas, there are still many gaps. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to further widen these gaps. One of the hardest hit areas for children under the age of five was nutrition. UNICEF, with other key stakeholders, presented a report to H. E. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa outlining the urgency to address child malnutrition in Sri Lanka.

CHILD SURVIVAL AND DEVELOPMENT

In partnership with the World Bank, UNICEF published a Public Expenditure Review on Nutrition and shared findings and recommendations with H.E. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. These included increasing the coverage and quality of nutrition interventions, investing more public funds for nutrition, and implementing the Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for Nutrition (2018-2025). Even before the pandemic, wasting (low weight-for-height) among Sri To demonstrate their commitment to improving high-impact nutrition Lankan children between the ages services for children, the GoSL allocated an additional 1,500 million Sri of 0-5 years was 15 per cent, Lankan Rupees in 2021 to produce Thriposha, a supplementary food for which is very high. The pandemic pregnant mothers and malnourished children under five years. only aggravated these numbers.

A study conducted by the Medical To further understand the causes of the concerning nutrition statistics, Research Institute in UNICEF is partnering with Penn State University to conduct formative urban Colombo showed a drastic research, which is providing valuable information on what influences increase in child wasting from Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices in children. The results, "high" to "very high" as per the in 2021, will inform a national infant and young child feeding strategy WHO threshold. Over 50 per cent with a comprehensive behavioral change communication component. of eligible children did not receive essential nutrition commodities, UNICEF also assisted the Family Health Bureau to identify and assess such as supplementary and nutrition specific indicators related to women and children to align them therapeutic food. with the global standardized set of these markers. This will be included in the Health Monitoring Information System (HMIS) in 2021. It will guide evidence-based decision-making and programme design to improve the nutritional status of children and women in Sri Lanka.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 11 EDUCATION

UNICEF commissioned a review of the draft national curriculum UNICEF proposed framework for preschools at the request of the Children’s Secretariat. 3 crucial The review, conducted by the Australian Children’s Education and Care early-learning-related Quality Authority, is now a core document informing the comprehensive curriculum review process of the National Institute of Education (NIE). recommendations: 1. A national agenda to improve the UNICEF also provided extensive technical support in the drafting of the quality of preschool and daycare National Preschool Education Policy by the National Education services for young children to Commission in 2020. give them maximum learning and developmental benefits. 2. An agreed vision and a long-term UNICEF assisted the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education framework to support the early (CDCE) at the University of Peradeniya to develop an external childhood workforce (teachers diploma/degree programme on Early Childhood Development for aspiring and caregivers) on their preschool teachers and administrators. conditions of work and professional development. 3. Equal access to high-quality early learning by all Sri Lankan children, regardless of their circumstances.

CHILD PROTECTION

The reduction in the numbers of institutionalized children was related to a milestone result for child protection in 2020: the roll-out of the National Policy for Alternative Care of Children. Unfortunately, due to the Too many children in Sri Lanka are economic and social burden of the pandemic on many families, there has living away from their families, in been an increase again in requests from parents to institutionalize their institutional care. The year 2020 children. saw an 11 per cent reduction of children residing in childcare New data from an UNICEF-supported assessment of the status of institutions, from 11,836 children institutionalized children will support evidence-based advocacy and in November 2019 to 10,632 in programming in this area in 2021 and beyond. August 2020. More work is needed to support deinstitutionalization UNICEF also helped train and professionalize the Social Service and to curb increases in the number Workforce (SSW) in collaboration with the Department of Probation and of families seeking to place their Child Care Services. This is part of a global effort by UNICEF to increase children in institutions due to a lack recognition of and support to the important work that front-line child of resources. protection officers do.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 12 Children in Middle Childhood (6-9 years)

The impact of the pandemic on learning was vast, affecting 4.7 million students. Schools abruptly closed in March and, with little to no preparation, were forced to resort to online or other forms of distance learning. As the situation improved, schools reopened, only to be shut again soon after as the second wave of COVID-19 infections hit. Children in middle childhood were more neglected than other age groups due to the focus of authorities largely on the Ordinary and Advanced Level exams. These children also faced health and safety challenges as they headed back to school with little understanding of the gravity of the situation, including the need to always practice safety and hygiene measures.

CHILD SURVIVAL AND DEVELOPMENT

Steps were taken in 2020 to conduct a household-level National Water Quality Survey this year (2021), with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Water Supply, and National Water Supply and Drainage Board. The survey will gather information needed to monitor progress towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2 on safely managed drinking water, and inform related future policies and programmes. 4.7 million students of all ages nation-wide benefitted from safe Access to safe drinking water for children is essential for their good school operations and standards as health. To this effect, 100 Development Officers were trained on the they headed back to school after drafting of water safety plans, assessment of community water supply the first lockdown. schemes and use of a software application for a national survey on 10,162 schools received health and community-managed rural water supply. safety guidelines in all three languages, benefitting 4.2 million In the longer term, UNICEF is contributing to efforts to continue positive students and 232,555 teachers, as hygiene behaviours in schools, as well as better school-based health and well as 19,000 pre-schools with nutrition services, through the drafting of a School Health and Nutrition over 380,000 children. Policy. Handwashing facilities in 2,802 schools were built, benefitting over 840,600 students (428,706 girls and 411,894 boys).

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 13 EDUCATION

Given that young children lost out on learning due to the lockdowns, UNICEF supported the roll-out of an evidence-based learning recovery model (remedial education) for primary grades in three provinces. This In collaboration with the Ministry of included: i) an adjusted curriculum to help children catch up on lost Education (MoE) and the National learning; ii) individualized teaching approaches that considered the Institute of Education (NIE), UNICEF learning needs of individual students; and iii) formative assessment that provided study packs for 665,000 helped students identify their strengths and weaknesses, while targeting Grade 1 and 2 students (50 per areas in which they needed help. Based on its success, the GoSL is now cent girls) nation-wide to support introducing this model to other provinces through the ongoing education their continued learning, reforms. particularly for those who did not have access to online learning. This UNICEF advocacy also helped secure a 2021 budget allocation for contributed to an increase in access learning continuity and recovery. to home-based learning from 62 to 82 per cent nationally between UNICEF finalised and shared the findings of an evaluation on Multi-Level April to June 2020. Reports pedagogical approach with national and provincial stakeholders. The indicated that the study packs were consensus from key stakeholders was that the key recommendations extremely useful, especially for from the evaluation would help inform the education reform process, children in rural and under-served linked to COVID-19 Building Back Better efforts. areas, and have motivated parents to support their children’s learning UNICEF with the MoE also undertook two key studies to generate at home. evidence on the effects of COVID-19 on learning: 1) A National Survey on Learning Continuity; and 2) The Impact of COVID-19 on Education. These will inform education reforms and strengthen the sector's resilience to future crises.

CHILD PROTECTION

UNICEF spearheaded a study on the determinants and drivers of bullying and other forms of inter-personal violence in schools in collaboration with the Innocenti Research Centre. The findings are now informing strategies 47 per cent of children were to combat such violence in schools. victims of at least one form of physical or psychological bullying UNICEF also led the adaptation of a Positive Youth Development in or around the school; programme (successfully implemented in Hong Kong), and piloted it in 34 per cent of children were the Northern Province. The results and lessons learned will feed into perpetrators of physical or policy reform and advocacy to scale up successful elements in home, psychological bullying; and school and institutional care settings. It will also inform a campaign to 4.2 per cent of children had been re-imagine a Sri Lanka without violence against children. hurt by someone from their school on the internet, according to the results of a study supported A draft handbook on Positive Discipline for Sri Lankan parents was by UNICEF. developed by UNICEF, to challenge harmful norms and practices around the use of physical punishment. The handbook, once finalized, will be available on the betterparenting.lk website. Content from the handbook will also be used during face-to-face parenting programmes that will be conducted by the Social Service Workforce in 2021 for parents of younger children and for families with specific parenting support needs.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 14 Adolescence (10-18 years)

Adolescence is generally a time of turbulence and change. Children go through many physical changes, including menstruation for girls; form friendships; face peer pressure; start to mature mentally, and more. The pandemic aggravated the challenges of this period of childhood. Perhaps the biggest impact of schools being closed abruptly and the general atmosphere of uncertainty, was on adolescent mental health. Children of this age often have strong friendships that also function as support systems. The pandemic took that away, leaving many of them isolated and frustrated at the inability to contribute to decisions that affected their lives. What’s more, anecdotal evidence suggested an increase in suicidal thoughts among adolescents and young people.

CHILD SURVIVAL AND DEVELOPMENT

UNICEF supported the development of a Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Country Snapshot to increase awareness on and advocate for MHM with Government agencies, key stakeholders and the private sector.

UNICEF also contributed towards improved MHM in Jaffna and At the 8th Global Conference in Mullaitivu districts in the Northern Province. This was done through key schools, UNICEF and the National messaging on social media, specifically on the importance of MHM Water Supply and Drainage Board facilities in schools, increasing understanding of MHM, and addressing presented the key milestones in harmful attitudes and norms around MHM in the province. MHM. Discussions were held on how different cost-effective and environmental-friendly models have More targeted messaging was also developed on MHM in emergencies, been developed over time; the which was displayed in every local village office in Jaffna and Mullaitivu challenges faced in implementation; districts. and the recommendations for scale-up.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 15 EDUCATION

UNICEF is a key technical partner of the GoSL in the ongoing curriculum reform process. UNICEF is using this as an entry point to help bring a stronger focus on soft skills, social cohesion, disaster risk reduction and The nurturing of concern for people climate change across all aspects of education. and community – civic values – in young people is integral to The National Institute of Education (NIE), with support from UNICEF, has achieving social cohesion, or the already made progress in incorporating life skills, including those for sense of connectedness, among the social cohesion, into the Grade 6 Sinhala and Tamil language subjects. different groups in our society. Recognising this, UNICEF The COVID-19 lockdown interrupted co- and extra-curricular activities in supported the National Institute of schools. Building on our pilot project that uses ICT to promote Education (NIE) to strengthen collaboration and cooperation, UNICEF looked at ways to use educators’ ability to teach civic online/digital tools and platforms to promote interaction, cross-learning values to students. and respect for diversity in the school system.

UNICEF is supporting the MoE to develop a programme to strengthen counselling and psychosocial services for both children and teachers, given the impact on emotional wellbeing that the lockdown had (and still has). This programme will be integrated into the education system to further strengthen resilience building.

CHILD PROTECTION

A milestone achievement for adolescents was the drafting of amendments to the Children and Young Persons Ordinance. These amendments, once passed, will increase the age definition of a child in U-Report is an open-source mobile conflict with the law from 16 to 18. This means that they will be treated messaging platform launched and as minors under the law and no longer imprisoned with adults. The operated by UNICEF. Its purpose is minimum age of child labour was increased to 16 from 14 in another to empower young people to speak amendment. out on issues that they care about in their communities, encourage The number of backlogged child abuse cases to be processed was down citizen-led development and create to 700 by the end of November 2020, from over 12,000 in 2017. The positive change. Over 6,800 reduction in numbers was due to continued advocacy and support to the U-Reporters have connected with Attorney General’s (AG’s) Department by UNICEF. This work will U-Report Sri Lanka so far, and their continue in 2021 to clear the entire backlog of cases, some that have opinions and thoughts are coming been pending for almost six years. through loud and clear. One poll on returning to school indicated that 73 per cent of U-Reporters were So that adolescents have more opportunities for their voices to be heard, ready to return. 83 per cent wanted UNICEF is supporting key initiatives such as U-Report, and Child-Centred to receive support to continue Disaster Risk Reduction (CC-DRR). The CC-DRR initiative currently learning at home even after they engages more than 2,000 adolescents in the development of DRR and return to school. Many also climate change adaptation programmes, as well as in COVID-19 requested catch-up classes to help awareness raising in some areas. their transition back to school, as well regular communication on COVID-19 to help alleviate their fears.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 16 Social Policy and Child Rights Monitoring

What started as a health crisis soon became a socioeconomic crisis, impacting children in many dimensions. COVID-19 came to show that we are all vulnerable in one way or another. UNICEF quickly generated evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on households, which underlined our recommendations and advocacy that contributed to emergency cash transfers to most of the population. Public finance analyses also pushed the agenda of investment on children.

ADVANCE AND MONITOR CHILD RIGHTS FOR THE MOST DEPRIVED CHILDREN

Effectively monitoring the implementation of and reporting on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a key obligation of States. Sri Lanka’s ability to do so was strengthened through the development and population of a tool and training of officials from On World Children’s Day 2020, the relevant Ministries to regularly update it. The tool is based on the latest Universal Child Benefits (UCB) concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. advocacy agenda was launched, as a proposal to help fulfill children’s The latest (2018) Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the rights. Additional to a press release Rights of the Child highlight five key areas of concern in Sri Lanka: (i) and newspaper articles explaining violence, (ii) sexual exploitation and abuse, (iii) economic exploitation, (iv) the idea of UCB, the related social administration of juvenile justice, and (v) reconciliation, truth and justice. media campaign achieved a unique In 2020, challenges arising from the various definitions of a “Child” and reach of over 1.2 million. “Youthful” person in different Acts in Sri Lanka were addressed, and the minimum age of labour increased, bringing the law in line with the compulsory age of education.

Knowledge of child rights is essential to monitor progress and demand for improved actions. UNICEF helped increase awareness on the UNCRC through child rights sessions that reached 7,500 children. A key outcome was that children themselves went on to conduct mini sessions for their classmates, generating lots of interest and engagement. UNICEF also printed and distributed child-friendly posters on the UNCRC (in local languages) to all 10,175 Government schools in the country.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 17 GENERATE AND USE EVIDENCE TO ADDRESS THE In collaboration with UNDP, UNICEF engaged in analyses of and global SITUATION OF CHILDREN IN SRI LANKA advocacy around debt relief for Sri Lanka. This was requested by Prime Minister Rajapaksa when presented with UNICEF’s proposal for a more inclusive social protection response, and as a way of overcoming UNICEF, together with UNDP, quickly launched a nationally representative financial challenges faced in implementing an effective socioeconomic telephone survey to gauge the socioeconomic impact of the lockdown response to the pandemic. on households. Data collection started within five weeks of the To collect evidence on the announcement of country-wide lockdown in late March. UNICEF and the Batticaloa Municipality signed a Memorandum of socioeconomic impact of the Understanding to help Batticaloa become the first Child-Friendly City in pandemic to inform and drive The surveys highlighted the impact the COVID-19 crisis had on South Asia. Significant achievements in adolescent participation and solutions, UNICEF conducted 4 households on several fronts: financial; food consumption; access to child-friendly infrastructure improvements were made. These included rounds of nationally representative health services; access to Government-provided social assistance and virtual dialogues between the mayor and adolescents and a first-ever surveys (three via phone, the COVID-19 relief; and on children’s education. The results of the surveys presentation of the budget to children. Improvements in public places, fourth, face-to-face) with over were shared with the GoSL and development partners to inform their children's parks, immunization clinics, children's homes, safe houses, 2,000 families per round. The response. The results also informed UNICEF as well as broader UN and police units that serve child victims were also undertaken on the surveys revealed a high level of policy recommendations and advocacy. These surveys were the only request of children. negative impacts on incomes and nationally representative documentation of the socioeconomic impact of food security. Over 70 per cent of COVID-19 on families in the country. respondent households affirmed their income was negatively UNICEF continued to support the Department of Census and Statistics to impacted. Between 1/4 and 1/3 of develop the country’s first measure of Multidimensional Poverty Index families reduced food consumption, (MPI), including with information on child poverty. A child module has particularly of nutritious food. The been included in the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) loss of income, amid other factors, 2019 to allow for this, and the MPI will be launched in 2021. This will resulted in most respondents taking allow Sri Lanka to measure and monitor progress against the UN's extra measures to pay for basic Sustainable Development Goal 1, which is "no poverty." needs, such as using up savings, borrowing more, pawning or selling assets.

DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT CHILD-RESPONSIVE BUDGETS

The first set of UNICEF Sri Lanka Budget Briefs was finalized and published. These briefs on the Budget Cycle and Process, and the Health, WASH and Education sectors, reflect an analysis of the public budgets for key social sectors. They aim to inform important advocacy On UNICEF’s recommendations to for child-related budgets. Also, a Brief on the Budget Speech 2021, counter child nutrition issues, the highlighting budget proposals that will impact the social sectors, was GoSL allocated an additional produced and shared with citizens on investments being made on budget of 1,500 million Sri children. The GoSL agreed to partner with UNICEF to produce its first Lankan Rupees in 2021 to produce Citizens Budget in 2021 to increase transparency of public funds. Thriposha, a supplementary food for pregnant mothers and UNICEF produced and presented to stakeholders, high-quality analyses malnourished children under estimating the potential economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, five years. exploring possible policy options, and estimating, through CGE modelling, the economic impact of different social protection responses.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 19 In collaboration with UNDP, UNICEF engaged in analyses of and global advocacy around debt relief for Sri Lanka. This was requested by Prime Minister Rajapaksa when presented with UNICEF’s proposal for a more inclusive social protection response, and as a way of overcoming financial challenges faced in implementing an effective socioeconomic response to the pandemic.

UNICEF and the Batticaloa Municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help Batticaloa become the first Child-Friendly City in South Asia. Significant achievements in adolescent participation and child-friendly infrastructure improvements were made. These included virtual dialogues between the mayor and adolescents and a first-ever presentation of the budget to children. Improvements in public places, children's parks, immunization clinics, children's homes, safe houses, and police units that serve child victims were also undertaken on the request of children.

PROVIDE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SOCIAL PROTECTION SERVICES TO THE MOST DEPRIVED CHILDREN

UNICEF developed an investment case with the rationale, costs and estimated impacts of a universal child benefit (UCB) for Sri Lanka, including in poverty and vulnerability reduction. The COVID-19 crisis made the push for social protection and UCB even more relevant. Evidence-based policy recommendations and advocacy provided to the GoSL on social At the outset of the crisis, UNICEF’s strategic engagement and policy protection responses contributed to advice to the GoSL contributed to a large cash transfer response emergency cash transfers for an benefiting most households in the country. UNICEF produced and estimated 66 percent of disseminated to the GoSL in-depth analyses on who would likely benefit households. They also helped to from or miss out on the initial package of cash transfers measures; the start a broader dialogue on adequacy of the transfer size (5,000 Sri Lankan Rupees); and the impact child-sensitive social protection, on the economy and household incomes. such as universal child benefits The first set of UNICEF Sri Lanka Budget Briefs was finalized and (UCB). A costed universal lifecycle cash transfer response, with economic published. These briefs on the Budget Cycle and Process, and the modelling estimating the impact of such measure, was proposed by Health, WASH and Education sectors, reflect an analysis of the public UNICEF, and included as a key policy recommendation in the UN budgets for key social sectors. They aim to inform important advocacy Advisory Paper on Socioeconomic Recovery submitted to the GoSL. This for child-related budgets. Also, a Brief on the Budget Speech 2021, initiated a dialogue on the importance of an improved and inclusive social highlighting budget proposals that will impact the social sectors, was protection system. produced and shared with citizens on investments being made on children. The GoSL agreed to partner with UNICEF to produce its first A proposal for guaranteeing financial support to all children 0-2 through Citizens Budget in 2021 to increase transparency of public funds. the extension of the existing Nutritional Allowance for Pregnant and Lactating Mothers programme was put forward and is being discussed UNICEF produced and presented to stakeholders, high-quality analyses for implementation in 2021 and beyond. estimating the potential economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring possible policy options, and estimating, through CGE modelling, the economic impact of different social protection responses.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 20 On UNICEF’s recommendations to counter child nutrition issues, the GoSL allocated an additional budget of 1,500 million Sri Lankan Rupees in 2021 to produce Thriposha, a supplementary food for pregnant mothers and malnourished children under five years.

Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships

In 2020, timely, educational, and relevant communication became even more important in the effort to help keep families informed and safe. UNICEF delivered strategic COVID-19 information to educate the public on prevention, caregiving, stigma, and the safe resumption of a “new normal,” while advocating for the protection and promotion of children’s rights. This was done in close collaboration with the GoSL and other partners.

CHILD SURVIVAL AND DEVELOPMENT

UNICEF engaged Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to speak to 150 children and youth about their COVID-19 related concerns via his online platform, which was aired on national TV on eight channels, reaching 12 million viewers. Another 3.5 million viewers were reached on social UNICEF supported partnerships with USAID on COVID-19 response; KOICA media, with an engagement rate of 337,070. on the safe reopening and operation of schools including capacity building in In collaboration with the GoSL, online learning; Japan on refurbishing COVID-19 isolation units in three UNICEF delivered multiple mass The BetterParenting.lk website was positioned as one of UNICEF’s main specialist hospitals; the Asian Development Bank and World Bank for media campaigns, media platforms for public-focused messaging on parenting during the large-scale procurement of COVID-19 related supplies for the GoSL; Swadeshi engagement, and digital and social pandemic, deep-diving into some of the stressors and challenges facing to launch a country-wide handwashing campaign; and the London Stock media activities to raise awareness parents in general, and in relation to the pandemic. In 2020, 15,029 Exchange Group to leverage USD 80,000 for COVID-19 relief. on COVID-19 prevention methods. unique users visited the website (58 per cent female, 42 per cent male) These had a viewership of 12 and there were 34,516 page views, with 11 per cent of traffic generated UNICEF led the UN Communications Group to deliver a comprehensive Risk million on mass media, and got by returning visitors. The most accessed page on the website was on Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy which provided over 44 million views and 7.9 child development, which covers numerous topics such as parenting tips, targeted and mass COVID-19 communications to educate mass audiences and million engagements on social early learning, play, and reading for children. key at-risk groups on prevention, caregiving, stigma and the safe resumption media. A post-curfew campaign on of a “new normal”, in close collaboration with the GoSL and other partners. returning to regular life reached an A back-to-school multi-media campaign aimed at children, parents, estimated 6 million viewers and teachers, and administrators was developed and launched. Its purpose 947,968 on social media, with was to build confidence among these groups to return to school once 94,721 engagements. opened.

As a global advocate for ending extreme poverty, UNICEF launched a host of poverty-reduction campaigns coinciding with World Children’s Day. These included: The Voices of Youth, World Children’s Day, and Global Illustration Challenge where young people re-imagined a poverty-free, post-COVID-19 Sri Lanka; a social media campaign calling for the GoSL to recognise and reduce child poverty; Op-Eds by the UNICEF Executive Director and Chief Executive of Save the Children; and a fund-raiser in partnership with e-commerce site daraz.lk.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 20 The Grant Awarding event with the participation of the Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka; Deputy Representative (Representative a.i.) of UNICEF Sri Lanka; and the MoE Secretary to support the COVID-19 response in Education, in July 2020. UNICEF engaged Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to speak to 150 children and youth about their COVID-19 related concerns via his online platform, which was aired on national TV on eight channels, reaching 12 million viewers. Another 3.5 million viewers were reached on social UNICEF supported partnerships with USAID on COVID-19 response; KOICA media, with an engagement rate of 337,070. on the safe reopening and operation of schools including capacity building in online learning; Japan on refurbishing COVID-19 isolation units in three The BetterParenting.lk website was positioned as one of UNICEF’s main specialist hospitals; the Asian Development Bank and World Bank for platforms for public-focused messaging on parenting during the large-scale procurement of COVID-19 related supplies for the GoSL; Swadeshi pandemic, deep-diving into some of the stressors and challenges facing to launch a country-wide handwashing campaign; and the London Stock parents in general, and in relation to the pandemic. In 2020, 15,029 Exchange Group to leverage USD 80,000 for COVID-19 relief. unique users visited the website (58 per cent female, 42 per cent male) and there were 34,516 page views, with 11 per cent of traffic generated UNICEF led the UN Communications Group to deliver a comprehensive Risk by returning visitors. The most accessed page on the website was on Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy which provided child development, which covers numerous topics such as parenting tips, targeted and mass COVID-19 communications to educate mass audiences and early learning, play, and reading for children. key at-risk groups on prevention, caregiving, stigma and the safe resumption of a “new normal”, in close collaboration with the GoSL and other partners. A back-to-school multi-media campaign aimed at children, parents, teachers, and administrators was developed and launched. Its purpose was to build confidence among these groups to return to school once opened.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 21 EFFICIENCY AND To be able to remain EFFECTIVENESS: agile and responsive, and align to national DELIVERING priorities, UNICEF Sri Lanka adjusted its PROGRAMME strategies and planning RESULTS amidst a global pandemic. Through the many challenges of 2020, UNICEF Sri Lanka had to ensure that it remained agile and responsive to a constantly UNICEF Sri Lanka joined evolving global and local context a regional Humanitarian defined by the pandemic. With Action for Children (HAC) appeal in April 2020, streamlined and efficient processes, UNICEF Sri Lanka continued to help the GoSL in enabling UNICEF Sri delivering timely and critical Lanka to mobilise services for children and families. resources and provide timely and critical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNICEF’s Supplies Unit supported the GoSL with the procurement of medical supplies worth USD 23.9 million with funding from World Bank and Asian Development Bank. This is the largest value of procurement done in recent history.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 22 UNICEF Sri Lanka continued to maintain a high preparedness level, and actively mobilized funds to strengthen sub-national level emergency Sound financial and preparedness capacities of authorities and children. This included preparedness for cyclone administrative management season in the North Indian Ocean. helped manage risks efficiently and optimize the use of UNICEF’s resources, which increased by 1.5 times from 2019 due to the pandemic.

Taking into consideration the impact of COVID-19 on programme delivery, the Enterprise Risk Management tool was updated to include relevant mitigation strategies. The Business Continuity Plan was also activated. This ensured a seamless transition to working from home during the crisis, providing a positive virtual work experience at home with necessary IT and tech support. A Back to Office plan was also developed that took into account health and safety measures in the office premises.

UNICEF Sri Lanka also dedicated time and energy into designing and rolling out short, on-line training sessions that were interactive and engaging and focused on topics that were of concern and interest to staff, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, through the establishment of the SLCO Staff Academy. These sessions helped staff to be more productive, engaged and motivated while teleworking during periods of country lockdown and curfew.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 23 THE WORLD CHANGED: EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN 2020

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 24 STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1

PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO REDUCE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS TRANSMISSION AND MORTALITY

2020 was defined by an overwhelming and still ongoing public health crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF’s emergency response to this was swift and guided by decades of experience in crisis management. The public – especially vulnerable communities – needed to be kept informed and aware about crucial health and safety information. At the same time, stringent infection prevention control measures had to be put in place, while encouraging communities to actively practice hygiene and safety guidelines. UNICEF, working with the GoSL and other partners, led efforts in these areas.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 25 1. STRENGTHENING RISK COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

UNICEF led a campaign to address stigma, symptoms, and caregiving related to COVID-19. This ran on prime-time national TV and radio with a reach of 7.7 million and was shared via social media with a reach of 3.3 million. The campaign gained 678,076 engagements on social media. After the second wave of the virus in October, the campaign was re-launched, with a reach of 7 million, and over 9 million via social media with 671,013 engagements. UNICEF also engaged Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to speak to 150 youth about their COVID-19 related concerns, which was aired on national TV on eight channels, reaching 12 million viewers.

Campaigns were launched on COVID-19 prevention through good hygiene, as well as post-curfew “new normal” measures for the public to keep in mind. The latter was done in collaboration with the Health Promotion Bureau and involved six animation movies which ran on prime-time TV.

BetterParenting.lk partner Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC was supported by UNICEF to launch a nationwide handwashing campaign on national TV that ran from July to August. The campaign focused on the 11 steps of correct handwashing targeting parents and children. It also featured additional communication materials, including posters, downloadable information, and shop displays.

“New Lessons in the New Term” was launched to coincide with the reopening of schools in August. Directed at children, parents and caregivers, this national media campaign focused on COVID-19 safety “lessons” to follow inside and outside of the classroom. The campaign featured two advertisements on national TV, in-class posters, school bus stickers, sign boards at the entrances to schools and radio advertisements in national languages. Via UNICEF social channels, the campaign recorded a reach of over 4.2 million.

UNICEF engaged in focused risk communication work with urban and estate sector vulnerable populations (over 30,000), and also reached the communities through interreligious platform with key messages on COVID-19 safe behaviours, non-discrimination, non-violent behaviours, peaceful coexistence and positive parenting in-line with religious values.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 26 2. IMPROVE IPC AND PROVIDE CRITICAL MEDICAL AND WASH SUPPLIES

UNICEF supported the MoH to evaluate hospitals identified as isolation centers, with a special focus on Infection Prevention Control (IPC) and WASH requirements. Based on these assessments, UNICEF upgraded 13 identified hospitals (675 bed capacity) around the country, that provide care for suspected/infected cases of COVID-19 through the refurbishment of isolation units, labour rooms and neonatal units.

Additionally, UNICEF and UNICEF supported the Environmental and Occupational Health partners provided: Directorate of the MoH to conduct four training programmes for staff handling healthcare waste in selected healthcare institutions. 240 health workers were instructed on the safe handling of healthcare waste, including waste segregation at source and proper transportation to Personal Protective ensure the health and safety of workers, patients and communities. Equipment (PPE), WASH and medical supplies and equipment Consultations with community medicine officials, microbiology experts, Medical officers of Health, Infection Control Nursing Officers and Public for over 10,250 Health Inspectors led to the development of training materials for healthcare workers. healthcare waste management.

Communities in Colombo, Galle, Anuradhapura, Diyathalawa and Crucial safety supplies Puttalam cities were involved in hygiene promotion, cleaning and for isolation units that disinfecting initiatives with the support of the Medical Officer of Health specialised in and Police. These initiatives reached around 7,000 housing units and maternal and 35,000 families in high-risk areas. These COVID-19 preventive activities neonatal care for were highlighted by the USDA in a national TV programme for World identified/suspected Habitat Day 2020 under the theme of “Housing for all - A better urban COVID-19 positive future.” pregnant mothers and babies.

Handwashing stations in 2,683 schools and 4,446 pre-schools in six provinces, 3 thermal scanners for the Mattala benefiting around 766,980 children (391,160 girls International Airport, Colombo and and 375,820 boys). Galle Ports to screen all incoming passengers.

100 handwashing facilities, Waste bins and waste provision of WASH and other WASH supplies, hygiene and carts to 4 base supplies (such as masks and protective items for cleaning staff hospitals for waste sanitizers) and hygiene and teachers in selected schools management. in high-risk areas, promotion in Colombo, Galle, Anuradhapura, Diyathalawa along with 736 thermometers. and Puttalam cities.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 27 STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2

CONTINUITY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES; ASSESSING AND RESPONDING TO THE IMMEDIATE SECONDARY IMPACTS OF COVID-19

In UNICEF’s 2020 emergency response to the pandemic, it was of utmost importance to ensure the continuation of essential health and nutrition services for women and children. Equally crucial was the need to support continued access to education, social protection, child protection, mental health, psychosocial support, and gender-based violence services. Gathering data on the impact of the pandemic on children and families remained essential to inform emergency and relief processes. UNICEF worked with the GoSL and other key partners to drive efforts in all these areas.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 28 1. SUPPORTING CONTINUED ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT

Even during the lockdown, 99.9 per cent of childbirths occurred in hospitals. The Colombo East Base Hospital (CEBH) was the designated Maternity and Newborn Hospital to care for pregnant women and newborns suspected to have or who had COVID-19 infections. UNICEF, through collaboration with partners, supplied the CEBH with personal protective and medical equipment, including neonatal and adult ventilators. As of December 2020, the CEBH had treated 125 COVID-19 confirmed pregnant mothers and managed 83 newborns all diagnosed as COVID-19 negative.

A rapid assessment was conducted by the Family Health Bureau (FHB) UNICEF and partners provided: and UNICEF in all 320 Medical Officer of Health areas in 26 Health districts, which revealed a serious lack of handwashing facilities in MCH clinics. 1,539 clinics (50 per cent) lacked handwashing facilities at the Crucial medical equipment entrance and 1,036 (30 per cent) did not have these facilities in the for 2 hospitals designated examination rooms. This assessment was used to inform the as isolation units. Government’s response.

10,000 100ml hand UNICEF supported the MoH in documenting the re-organization, sanitizer bottles and prioritization and adaptation of the maternal, newborn and child health immunization and nutrition services during the pandemic. This 10,000 surgical face knowledge management will help to maintain the delivery of essential masks for field health services and inform strategies if faced with a similar situation in the workers. future. 456 handwashing facilities An emergency management guidelines handbook related to maternal and in MCH clinics in child health was prepared by the MoH with UNICEF and WHO support. It Trincomalee, Badulla, was distributed to 10,000 field health workers (8,250 females and 1,750 Monaragala, Kurunegala and males) including Medical Officers of Health, Public Health Nursing Sisters Puttalam. and Public Health Midwives, who are at the forefront of providing Maternal and Child Health (MCH) care throughout the country. Audio visual facilities at the Family Health Bureau (FHB) to conduct online trainings for field health workers. This helped to ensure regular contact between the FHB and all district managers, medical officers and 6,500 Public Health Midwives.

137,000 packs of Multiple Micronutrients (MMN) to support the MoH’s child nutrition programme.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 29 2. SUPPORTING ACCESS TO CONTINUOUS EDUCATION, SOCIAL PROTECTION, CHILD PROTECTION, MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SERVICES

EDUCATION

UNICEF helped the MoE and State Ministry of Women and Child Development to develop and distribute a set of Safe School and Preschool Operational guidelines. These were distributed to 10,194 schools and 19,668 Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centers, benefitting 4,165,964 school children (2,106,159 girls and 2,059,805 boys), 578,160 children aged 2–5 and 45,941 employees of ECCD centers.

Print-based learning material based on the Education Sector COVID-19 UNICEF and partners provided: Response Plan was distributed to 665,000 grade 1 and 2 students in both Sinhala and Tamil languages, including the most disadvantaged and 3,000 face masks and hard-to-reach children with limited access to digital and online platforms. hand sanitizers for the MoE to help protect 1,500 UNICEF supported the MoE to conduct a Back-to-School communication education officials who were campaign that included information about handwashing techniques and involved in preparing learning IPC in all three languages. There was also a video for preschool teachers, materials for children. posters for all schools, installation of signboards in 410 schools (with more than 500 students each), and cartoon books with key hygiene An instructional video on IPC message for Primary schools. measures for preschool teachers.

After schools reopened, UNICEF supported three provinces to 10,000 re-usable facemasks, hand implement a learning recovery programme (remedial education) to gloves, hand sanitizers and address COVID-19-related learning losses. This successful model is now disinfectant liquids, which being implemented in other provinces too. were urgently delivered to the MoE to ensure Ordinary In partnership with a private service provider, UNICEF worked with the and Advanced Level zonal and provincial government in the Northern Province to support the exams could be training of 15,000 teachers and 500 education officials on online/digital held without disruption. teaching techniques. If it proves to be a successful model, it could be used to promote a blended approach to teaching-learning in the country. A brochure for parents describing what to expect and what to do when sending their children to a preschool during the pandemic.

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OTHER UN AGENCIES IFIs

In 2020, joint planning and programming with other UN Partnerships with International Financial Institutions agencies was critically important for UNICEF to deliver (IFIs) were strengthened in 2020. Working with both the results in the context of COVID-19. This included World Bank and Asian Development Bank enabled resource mobilization, such as innovative financing UNICEF to deliver timely, high quality support to the offered by the SDG Fund, with UNDP and WFP; government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. working with UNFPA and UN Women on preventing This included using UNICEF Sri Lanka’s supply capacity gender-based violence; and partnering with UNDP on to support USD 23.9 million worth of procurement on preventing hate speech. behalf of the Ministry of Health to help fight the COVID-19 health crisis. UNICEF also led discussions related to the UN Socio-economic Advisory Note and identified priorities Additionally, UNICEF convened IFIs, bilaterals and UN for UN-Government collaboration to respond to the agencies to coordinate efforts and strengthen pandemic. In addition, UNICEF activated and co-led the partnerships in social protection. UNICEF also partnered Risk Communication and Community Engagement with the World Bank to implement Menstrual Hygiene Cluster with WHO, jointly supporting the Ministry of Management models in schools and public places and Health to deliver high quality communications materials. to conduct a Public Expenditure Review for nutrition, which was presented to H. E. the President in February Meanwhile, UNICEF and UNDP partnered to conduct 2020. regular telephone surveys to assess the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on households across the country and present it to the GoSL and partners. The two agencies also developed a briefing note on debt management and fiscal constraints the COVID-19 economic downturn had triggered, enabling the UN to provide coherent, credible messaging to government. UNICEF and WFP also jointly advocated to the GoSL for the resumption of Thriposha (nutrition supplement) production, with UNICEF convening key partners and WFP bringing resources to support additional procurement.

CHILD PROTECTION

Due to curfew and movement restrictions, domestic violence and cruelty against children increased, according to the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). In addition, institutionalized children faced higher risks of being exposed to the virus and other psychosocial issues. Child protection services were declared an essential service during the country lockdown because of advocacy by the Child Protection Working Group, led by the NCPA and UNICEF. This ensured that vulnerable children were still able to access protection services and facilities.

UNICEF, with the Department of Probation Childcare Services (DPCCS), developed and rolled out Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines on virtual case management, including the training of 286 Child Rights Promotion Officers (CRPOs). This virtual case conferencing between child protection service providers helped reach 609 children (324 girls and 285 boys).

During the curfew period, 86 children in childcare institutions in the Northern province were permanently reunited with their families. In the Eastern province, 914 children were temporarily reunited with their families. UNICEF helped the Eastern Province Probation Department to monitor this situation using the trained Social Service Workforce (SSW) and refer these families to relevant childcare and protection services as UNICEF and partners provided: needed. Around 182 children (96 girls and 86 boys) were supported through the SSW system during a four-month period.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) networks were established in the Northern and Eastern provinces, providing services for more than 5,800 children, parents and caregivers, including children in 17 children’s homes. UNICEF also facilitated mental health forums in the Eastern, Northern, and Uva provinces. Also, community level psychosocial services through the Village Child Development Committees were strengthened in the Northern Province. 1,600 cases were managed with supervision by the SSW.

UNICEF and partners provided:

Alternative care support to 67 Training for the staff of 91 Training for 196 Probation children whose parents or childcare institutions on Officers on new safety caretakers contracted COVID-19. self-care and psychosocial procedures, benefitting These children were reunited with first aid. around 2,017 children their families after the recovery of (1,012 girls and 1,005 boys) their parents/care givers. in 162 institutions.

Audio/video A digital Training for around 250 NCPA conferencing tracking system staff, including 32 1929 child to monitor the status of helpline staff which benefitted facilities complaints received via for the NCPA. around 3,500 children during the the 1929 child helpline. four-month stringent curfew period.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 31

GOVERNMENT CSOs AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SECTOR

UNICEF entered into several strategic new partnerships Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) remained key with the GoSL to help drive forward key priorities. This partners in 2020. They supported the conduct of a rapid included working with the Presidential Secretariat on assessment of COVID-19 child protection issues and the situation of children in Sri Lanka; Climate Change facilitated the launch of U-Report as a new way of Secretariat and Ministry of Environment on the national engaging Sri Lankan youth. Meanwhile, engagement climate change agenda; the Urban Settlement with CSOs, along with academia, think tanks and trade Development Authority to provide WASH and waste unions was valuable in creating conversations and management services in vulnerable high-density increasing demand for an improved social protection settlements; and the Department of Probation and system. Collaboration with the private sector also Childcare Services on developing an adolescent remained important. Swadeshi PLC continued to partner participation framework. At subnational level, it also with UNICEF on the BetterParenting.lk website, which included the formalization of the partnership with supported parents with timely and informative parenting Batticaloa Municipality through a Memorandum of content during the COVID-19 crisis. Collaboration with Understanding to help make Batticaloa the first Swadeshi also saw the launch of a country-wide Child-Friendly City in South Asia. handwashing campaign. To help develop such partnerships beyond just financial support and nurture long-term strategic vision, UNICEF Sri Lanka also conducted a training for staff on different types of engagement with the private sector to achieve key results for children.

OTHER UN AGENCIES IFIs

SOCIAL PROTECTION

UNICEF Sri Lanka’s strategic engagement and advocacy with the Presidential Secretariat, Department of National Planning, and Presidential Task Force for Poverty Eradication contributed to a quick and large cash transfer response (5,000 Sri Lankan Rupees per household) to the socioeconomic crisis caused by COVID-19. It is estimated that 66 per cent of households in the country benefitted from the transfers. Quality evidence generation, including through data collection, simulations and economic modelling underpinned policy recommendations and discussions with partners. UNICEF continues to advocate for universal child, old-age and disability benefits to support people affected by the pandemic.

UNICEF produced and shared with the GoSL in-depth analyses on the initial cash transfer response announced: on who would likely benefit from or miss out; on the adequacy of the transfer value; and the impact on the economy and household incomes. The cash transfer was later extended for another month and expanded to an estimated two-thirds of households.

In the UN Advisory Paper on Socioeconomic Recovery submitted to the Government, UNICEF’s costed proposal for a universal lifecycle cash transfer response was one of the key recommendations. Advocacy for such was strong and included high-level meetings with the Prime Minister, the Presidential Task Force on Economic Recovery, Ministry of Finance, think tanks and civil society. Discussions on the matter were also held through media, social media and webinars to initiate a public debate on, and demand for, universal approaches to social protection.

Motivated by the difficult fiscal context for implementing a larger socioeconomic response to COVID-19, UNICEF and UNDP undertook an analysis of the debt profile, challenges and options so to inform advocacy for fiscal space at national and global levels. UNICEF helped build national capacity on and generate demand for improved social protection. 80 key stakeholders – government officials, think tanks, trade unions and The Chief of Social Policy and Child Rights Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) – were trained on inclusive social Monitoring, UNICEF Sri Lanka, presenting on protection in times of crisis, as well as on pension policy. This lead to a inclusive social protection to Government much more significant understanding of child-sensitive social protection officials, in February 2020. by government officials, demand for improved systems by local academics and CSOs, and a stronger public discussion around inclusive social protection. Meanwhile, experts who submitted a proposed chapter for the upcoming Constitution of Sri Lanka included Universal Child Benefits (UCB) as a fundamental right.

UNICEF Sri Lanka continues to advocate for cash transfers for families with children, particularly young children. UNICEF has developed a concept note for the expansion and reform of an existing universal program of vouchers for pregnant and breastfeeding women to ensure that children continue to be supported until their second birthday. The cost has been estimated and advocacy efforts are continuing to see this expansion through.

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GOVERNMENT CSOs AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SECTOR

UNICEF adapted its Child Centered Disaster Risk Reduction (CC-DRR) programme to include awareness raising on COVID-19. A manual on health emergencies among children was developed and 61 Child Rights Promotion Officers (CRPOs) were trained on how to teach adolescents about COVID-19 prevention safe behaviours, reaching around 1,351 Children’s Club members. These children further promoted safe behaviour messages in their villages reaching 2,316 community members. Further, youth who had been trained on civic education and peacebuilding, were also actively engaged in the COVID-19 response in their communities, such as distributing food, maintaining physical distance in public places and preparing PPE kits for medical officers.

The CC-DRR programme was scaled up in Batticaloa, Trincomalee, The 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attack left social cohesion fraught and Ampara, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Rathnapura. The fragile. UNICEF created a strong youth network in Batticaloa and Ampara process revealed that decision-making by most government institutions with linkages to local government and community groups, established on disaster risk reduction issues did not involve community input, and interfaith dialogue through Religious Leader Forums, and supported there was less focus on children’s needs and rights. As a solution, development of community action plans to promote social cohesion UNICEF trained 411 Divisional Secretariat government officials on between the diverse ethnic communities in these districts. 168 Child-centred Risk Assessment (CRA), child protection in emergencies, government stakeholders were trained on inter-faith dialogue and risk reduction planning, and psychosocial counselling. CC-DRR training engaging young people on issues of social cohesion and peace building. resource pools were also created, reaching over 1,500 children’s club Further, 111 ethnically diverse young people were brought together in members and 300 children living in Children’s Homes. This resulted in one platform and trained on civic education and peacebuilding, resulting strengthened divisional level DRR decision-making; currently, nine in the development of five community action plans encouraging Divisional Secretariats have integrated CC-DRR action plans created by communal harmony and ethnic co-existence. Children’s Clubs members into their 2021 development plans. Children in Mullaitivu are seen identifying Village-level Disaster Management Committees were also revived and hazards in their village and preparing risk UNICEF strengthened the Child Protection Unit (CPU) at the Batticaloa strengthened through this process with active participation of Children’s mitigation plans, in January 2020. Teaching Hospital and the District CP to facilitate 382 case conferences Club members and training opportunities for committee members. and 96 case management discussions and address 343 child protection cases under the leadership of the NCPA and Probation Officers. UNICEF also trained 35 Government officers and 68 officials to provide mental health, psychosocial support and counselling services to those affected I used to think that natural disasters are created by God and that there by the blasts. is nothing we can do. However, through these trainings I learnt that UNICEF prepared for cyclone season in the North Indian Ocean and “even though disasters are beyond our control, there are certain aspects reached out to government counterparts for forecasting and cyclone which are within our control. Proper planning and preparedness can preparedness. This was timely as the country faced Tropical Cyclone Burevi in December. reduce the damage drastically – the CC-DRR programme helped us engage in detailed risk assessments for our childcare institution with a focus on child safety and children with disabilities. We developed simple, inexpensive yet effective plans, which can easily be rolled out with the help of the children in the home. We are really thankful for UNICEF for building our skills, which enables us to be responsible citizens on issues such as climate change. Nilmi, a 16-year-old girl living in a Children’s Home in Badulla ”

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OTHER UN AGENCIES IFIs

Mahendran’s Story 15-year-old Mahendran Mesak suffered severe burns to his face from the Easter bomb blast. He went through treatment for burns for more than two months. Mesak’s experience added to the trauma he and his family was already facing. His father Mr. V. Mahendran, who works at a salon, could not concentrate on his work and experienced severe abdominal pains and headaches. For days he could not consume proper meals.

Members of the Psychosocial Forum made several visits and provided counselling support to Mr. Mahendran. Constant follow-ups on Mesak’s medical treatment and helping him get back to school by providing psychological support and educational items has helped Mesak ease back to the life he knew before the bombing. Now Mesak is back at school. His father is gradually getting back to routine life.

UNICEF prepared for cyclone season in the North Indian Ocean and reached out to government counterparts for forecasting and cyclone preparedness. This was timely as the country faced Tropical Cyclone Burevi in December.

UNICEF provided the following cyclone relief supplies:

1,000 tarpaulin sheets and 10 Water purification family tents to distribute among the worst affected tablets, stored with the National communities. Water Supply & Drainage Board. 10 high-powered submersible pumps for dug-well cleaning as tropical cyclone Burevi relief efforts.

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GOVERNMENT CSOs AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SECTOR

UNICEF, with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and Child Protection Working Group, assessed COVID-19 impact on child protection. 3,995 parents and 3,975 children were engaged in it island wide.

UNICEF, in partnership with UNDP, conducted four rounds of nationally representative telephone surveys, with approximately 2,000 households per round, to better understand the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic on families. These provided much relevant information on how families were being affected and coping, and were crucial to inform responses by UNICEF, Government, and other partners.

UNICEF, with the MoE, conducted a rapid assessment to identify the main needs for and recommendations on the continuation of education during lockdown, which informed an Education Response Plan. A survey of the situation of continuous learning during school closure periods in primary grades was also carried out. The purpose of this was to understand the impact of COVID-19 on education and inform future education reform strategies.

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OTHER UN AGENCIES IFIs

WE DID IT TOGETHER! Partnerships and Collaborations in 2020

Partnerships are an important strategy for a small country office like UNICEF Sri Lanka to deliver ambitious and effective results for children. In 2020, collaboration with the GoSL, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the private sector, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and the World Bank, and fellow UN agencies, saw tangible outputs across several UNICEF priority areas including health, nutrition, WASH, child protection and social policy.

GOVERNMENT CSOs AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SECTOR

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 36 UNICEF SRI LANKA CAN PIVOT AND ADAPT TO A CRISIS TO DELIVER RESULTS DIFFERENTLY YET EFFECTIVELY. The Representative for UNICEF Sri Lanka and the UN Resident Coordinator, handing over the Public Expenditure Review for Nutrition to the President of Sri Lanka, in February 2020. The pandemic, including the extended curfews and movement restrictions, pushed UNICEF and our partners to rethink approaches and innovate to deliver timely, effective results. Supportive leadership, the flexibility and commitment of staff, and engagement by Staff Association helped keep staff morale high. And this in turn OTHER UN AGENCIES IFIs enabled staff to navigate challenges to drive impactful work, including the launch of U-Report to engage Sri Lankan youth on their pandemic-related thoughts and concerns; form new partnerships to advance programming in urban areas for some In 2020, joint planning and programming with other UN Partnerships with International Financial Institutions of the least visible communities in the country; and leverage private sector agencies was critically important for UNICEF to deliver (IFIs) were strengthened in 2020. Working with both the partnerships to support the GoSL’s response. These opportunities were partly as a results in the context of COVID-19. This included World Bank and Asian Development Bank enabled result of resources being available, but also the willingness and ability of UNICEF and resource mobilization, such as innovative financing UNICEF to deliver timely, high quality support to the our partners to take it forward and think outside the box. offered by the SDG Fund, with UNDP and WFP; government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. working with UNFPA and UN Women on preventing This included using UNICEF Sri Lanka’s supply capacity gender-based violence; and partnering with UNDP on to support USD 23.9 million worth of procurement on preventing hate speech. behalf of the Ministry of Health to help fight the COVID-19 health crisis. UNICEF also led discussions related to the UN Socio-economic Advisory Note and identified priorities Additionally, UNICEF convened IFIs, bilaterals and UN for UN-Government collaboration to respond to the agencies to coordinate efforts and strengthen THE HUMANITARIAN-DEVELOPMENT NEXUS IS A REALITY THAT pandemic. In addition, UNICEF activated and co-led the partnerships in social protection. UNICEF also partnered UNICEF SHOULD HAVE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ITS AGENDA. Risk Communication and Community Engagement with the World Bank to implement Menstrual Hygiene Cluster with WHO, jointly supporting the Ministry of Management models in schools and public places and UNICEF’s approach to the humanitarian-development nexus emphasizes key Health to deliver high quality communications materials. to conduct a Public Expenditure Review for nutrition, initiatives, including strengthening systems, risk-informed programmes, community which was presented to H. E. the President in February participation, planning and preparing for emergencies, fostering partnerships and Meanwhile, UNICEF and UNDP partnered to conduct 2020. mobilising resources. Over the past years, UNICEF Sri Lanka has moved away from regular telephone surveys to assess the socio-economic service delivery towards upstream system strengthening and policy work, all the impact of COVID-19 on households across the country while continuing to promote risk-informed programming given the regular threat of and present it to the GoSL and partners. The two monsoons and droughts. COVID-19 allowed UNICEF to strengthen these areas even agencies also developed a briefing note on debt further. Due to the pandemic, UNICEF was able to advance other management and fiscal constraints the COVID-19 humanitarian/development priorities, such as extensive advocacy efforts with the economic downturn had triggered, enabling the UN to GoSL to strengthen social protection for children – including provision of a universal provide coherent, credible messaging to government. child benefit – and build long-term capacity on continued child protection in response UNICEF and WFP also jointly advocated to the GoSL for to any form of crisis. the resumption of Thriposha (nutrition supplement) The UNICEF Representative handing over medical equipment production, with UNICEF convening key partners and to support the COVID-19 response to the Additional Secretary, WFP bringing resources to support additional Medical Services of the MoH, accompanied by the Deputy procurement. Director General Bio Medical Engineering and Deputy Director General Medical Services, in June 2020.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 37

UNICEF OFTEN HAS A UNIQUE CONVENING ROLE AND WE SHOULD USE IT.

A Case Study The curfew imposed in March 2020 impacted the lives and livelihoods of communities across the country, especially of women and children. With rising COVID-19 infections globally, there was a related rise in demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to keep frontline workers safe and healthy. But in March/April the demand for PPEs far outweighed existing global supply chains.

Recognizing these challenges, in April 2020, UNICEF South Asia Region held regional discussions to identify the industries and countries most affected. UNICEF Sri Lanka proposed to connect local garment industry partners with UNICEF’s global Supply Division, as one solution to the exponential growth in demand for PPEs. Sri Lanka’s garment industry is one of the leading industries in the region with some of the largest global players, many of which had been devastated by the termination of orders from European and other markets. Most of these garment manufacturers employ mainly female workers.

In April/May 2020, following confirmed interest by many garment companies, UNICEF Sri Lanka, its Regional Office and Global Supply Division, and the UN Resident Coordinator met with the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication and other key stakeholders, to take forward the idea of meeting the global PPE demand through local producers and resources. The Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Chairman of the Task Force, chaired the discussion, through which the entire value chain had been agreed upon: from supply requirements; concerns regarding raw materials; switching production from various other types of garments to COVID-19 PPE; identification and establishment of local and global standards for PPE; and reopening of factories during the pandemic whilst adhering to health and safety standards. The GoSL appreciated the practical and constructive approach taken by UNICEF and the UN to address the economic challenges facing Sri Lanka.

With everything in place, several leading garment manufacturers, including MAS Kreeda, took up the challenge to reopen their factories, diversify their production and switch to manufacturing PPEs. They were joined by several other garment manufacturers who smoothly transitioned from production of general clothing to critical COVID-19 PPE, in-line with WHO-approved local standards and ISO certified global standards of UNICEF’s Supply Division.

Several contracts were agreed with UNICEF’s Supply Division, including with MAS Kreeda, to supply for UNICEF/UN globally. Other contracts were agreed locally for the supply of PPE for Ministry of Health and World Bank procurements.

This timely, innovative strategy by UNICEF made a significant impact on the local garment industry. New opportunities were created both locally and globally, and remaining staff in many factories were retained. Meanwhile, locally manufactured PPE reached even the most underserved parts of the world through UNICEF’s Supply Division.

This shows how even during a pandemic, with the right support, manufacturers can innovate to capture new markets and UNICEF can harness new partners to deliver results.

GOVERNMENT CSOs AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SECTOR

LESSON UNICEF SRI LANKA CAN PIVOT AND ADAPT TO A CRISIS TO 1 DELIVER RESULTS DIFFERENTLY YET EFFECTIVELY. The pandemic, including the extended curfews and movement restrictions, pushed UNICEF and our partners to rethink approaches and innovate to deliver timely, effective results. Supportive leadership, the flexibility and commitment of staff, and engagement by Staff Association helped keep staff morale high. And this in turn enabled staff to navigate challenges to drive impactful work, including the launch of U-Report to engage Sri Lankan youth on their pandemic-related thoughts and concerns; form new partnerships to advance programming in urban areas for some of the least visible communities in the country; and leverage private sector partnerships to support the GoSL’s response. These opportunities were partly as a result of resources being available, but also the willingness and ability of UNICEF and our partners to take it forward and think outside the box.

THE HUMANITARIAN-DEVELOPMENT NEXUS IS A REALITY THAT LESSON UNICEF SHOULD HAVE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ITS AGENDA. UNICEF’s approach to the humanitarian-development nexus emphasizes key 2 initiatives, including strengthening systems, risk-informed programmes, community participation, planning and preparing for emergencies, fostering partnerships and mobilising resources. Over the past years, UNICEF Sri Lanka has moved away from service delivery towards upstream system strengthening and policy work, all the while continuing to promote risk-informed programming given the regular threat of monsoons and droughts. COVID-19 allowed UNICEF to strengthen these areas even further. Due to the pandemic, UNICEF was able to advance other humanitarian/development priorities, such as extensive advocacy efforts with the GoSL to strengthen social protection for children – including provision of a universal child benefit – and build long-term capacity on continued child protection in response to any form of crisis.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 38

UNICEF OFTEN HAS A UNIQUE CONVENING ROLE AND WE SHOULD USE IT.

This shows how even during a pandemic, with the right support, manufacturers can innovate to capture new markets and UNICEF can harness new partners to deliver results. UNICEF SRI LANKA CAN PIVOT AND ADAPT TO A CRISIS TO DELIVER RESULTS DIFFERENTLY YET EFFECTIVELY.

The pandemic, including the extended curfews and movement restrictions, pushed UNICEF and our partners to rethink approaches and innovate to deliver timely, effective results. Supportive leadership, the flexibility and commitment of staff, and engagement by Staff Association helped keep staff morale high. And this in turn OTHER UN AGENCIES IFIs enabled staff to navigate challenges to drive impactful work, including the launch of U-Report to engage Sri Lankan youth on their pandemic-related thoughts and concerns; form new partnerships to advance programming in urban areas for some In 2020, joint planning and programming with other UN Partnerships with International Financial Institutions of the least visible communities in the country; and leverage private sector agencies was critically important for UNICEF to deliver (IFIs) were strengthened in 2020. Working with both the partnerships to support the GoSL’s response. These opportunities were partly as a results in the context of COVID-19. This included World Bank and Asian Development Bank enabled result of resources being available, but also the willingness and ability of UNICEF and resource mobilization, such as innovative financing UNICEF to deliver timely, high quality support to the our partners to take it forward and think outside the box. offered by the SDG Fund, with UNDP and WFP; government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. working with UNFPA and UN Women on preventing This included using UNICEF Sri Lanka’s supply capacity gender-based violence; and partnering with UNDP on to support USD 23.9 million worth of procurement on preventing hate speech. behalf of the Ministry of Health to help fight the COVID-19 health crisis. UNICEF also led discussions related to the UN Socio-economic Advisory Note and identified priorities Additionally, UNICEF convened IFIs, bilaterals and UN for UN-Government collaboration to respond to the agencies to coordinate efforts and strengthen THE HUMANITARIAN-DEVELOPMENT NEXUS IS A REALITY THAT pandemic. In addition, UNICEF activated and co-led the partnerships in social protection. UNICEF also partnered UNICEF SHOULD HAVE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ITS AGENDA. Risk Communication and Community Engagement with the World Bank to implement Menstrual Hygiene Cluster with WHO, jointly supporting the Ministry of Management models in schools and public places and UNICEF’s approach to the humanitarian-development nexus emphasizes key Health to deliver high quality communications materials. to conduct a Public Expenditure Review for nutrition, initiatives, including strengthening systems, risk-informed programmes, community which was presented to H. E. the President in February participation, planning and preparing for emergencies, fostering partnerships and Meanwhile, UNICEF and UNDP partnered to conduct 2020. mobilising resources. Over the past years, UNICEF Sri Lanka has moved away from regular telephone surveys to assess the socio-economic service delivery towards upstream system strengthening and policy work, all the impact of COVID-19 on households across the country while continuing to promote risk-informed programming given the regular threat of and present it to the GoSL and partners. The two monsoons and droughts. COVID-19 allowed UNICEF to strengthen these areas even agencies also developed a briefing note on debt further. Due to the pandemic, UNICEF was able to advance other management and fiscal constraints the COVID-19 humanitarian/development priorities, such as extensive advocacy efforts with the economic downturn had triggered, enabling the UN to GoSL to strengthen social protection for children – including provision of a universal provide coherent, credible messaging to government. child benefit – and build long-term capacity on continued child protection in response UNICEF and WFP also jointly advocated to the GoSL for to any form of crisis. the resumption of Thriposha (nutrition supplement) The UNICEF Representative handing over medical equipment production, with UNICEF convening key partners and to support the COVID-19 response to the Additional Secretary, WFP bringing resources to support additional Medical Services of the MoH, accompanied by the Deputy procurement. Director General Bio Medical Engineering and Deputy Director General Medical Services, in June 2020.

LESSON UNICEF OFTEN HAS A UNIQUE CONVENING ROLE AND 3 WE SHOULD USE IT. A Case Study The curfew imposed in March 2020 impacted the lives and livelihoods of communities across the country, especially of women and children. With rising COVID-19 infections globally, there was a related rise in demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to keep frontline workers safe and healthy. But in March/April the demand for PPEs far outweighed existing global supply chains.

This shows how even during a pandemic, with the right support, manufacturers can innovate to capture new markets and UNICEF can harness new partners to deliver results.

Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 39

GOVERNMENT CSOs AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SECTOR

THE HUMANITARIAN-DEVELOPMENT NEXUS IS A REALITY THAT UNICEF SHOULD HAVE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ITS AGENDA.

UNICEF’s approach to the humanitarian-development nexus emphasizes key initiatives, including strengthening systems, risk-informed programmes, community participation, planning and preparing for emergencies, fostering partnerships and mobilising resources. Over the past years, UNICEF Sri Lanka has moved away from service delivery towards upstream system strengthening and policy work, all the while continuing to promote risk-informed programming given the regular threat of monsoons and droughts. COVID-19 allowed UNICEF to strengthen these areas even further. Due to the pandemic, UNICEF was able to advance other humanitarian/development priorities, such as extensive advocacy efforts with the GoSL to strengthen social protection for children – including provision of a universal child benefit – and build long-term capacity on continued child protection in response to any form of crisis.

UNICEF OFTEN HAS A UNIQUE CONVENING ROLE AND ACRONYMS WE SHOULD USE IT.

A Case Study CC-DRR Child-Centred Disaster Risk Reduction The curfew imposed in March 2020 impacted the lives and livelihoods of communities across the country, especially of women and children. With rising CDCE Center for Distance and Continuing Education COVID-19 infections globally, there was a related rise in demand for Personal CEBH Colombo East Base Hospital: Protective Equipment (PPEs) to keep frontline workers safe and healthy. But in CPU Child Protection Unit March/April the demand for PPEs far outweighed existing global supply chains. CRA Child-centred Risk Assessment CRPO Child Rights Promotion Officer Recognizing these challenges, in April 2020, UNICEF South Asia Region held regional discussions to identify the industries and countries most affected. UNICEF Sri Lanka CSO Civil Society Organization proposed to connect local garment industry partners with UNICEF’s global Supply DHS Demographic and Health Survey Division, as one solution to the exponential growth in demand for PPEs. Sri Lanka’s DPCCS Department of Probation and Childcare Services garment industry is one of the leading industries in the region with some of the FHB Family Health Bureau largest global players, many of which had been devastated by the termination of orders from European and other markets. Most of these garment manufacturers GoSL Government of Sri Lanka employ mainly female workers. HAC Humanitarian Action for Children HIES Household Income and Expenditure Survey In April/May 2020, following confirmed interest by many garment companies, HMIS Health Monitoring Information System UNICEF Sri Lanka, its Regional Office and Global Supply Division, and the UN IFIs International Financial Institutions Resident Coordinator met with the Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication and other key stakeholders, to take forward the idea of meeting IPC Infection Prevention and Control Measures the global PPE demand through local producers and resources. The Hon. Basil IYCF Infant and Young Child Feeding Rajapaksa, Chairman of the Task Force, chaired the discussion, through which the KOICA Korea International Cooperation Agency entire value chain had been agreed upon: from supply requirements; concerns MAM Moderate Acute Malnutrition regarding raw materials; switching production from various other types of garments to COVID-19 PPE; identification and establishment of local and global standards for MCH Maternal and Child Health PPE; and reopening of factories during the pandemic whilst adhering to health and MHM Menstrual Hygiene Management safety standards. The GoSL appreciated the practical and constructive approach MHPSS Mental Health and Psychosocial Support taken by UNICEF and the UN to address the economic challenges facing Sri Lanka. MoE Ministry of Education MoH Ministry of Health With everything in place, several leading garment manufacturers, including MAS Kreeda, took up the challenge to reopen their factories, diversify their production and NCPA National Child Protection Authority switch to manufacturing PPEs. They were joined by several other garment NIE National Institute of Education manufacturers who smoothly transitioned from production of general clothing to PPE Personal Protective Equipment critical COVID-19 PPE, in-line with WHO-approved local standards and ISO certified RCCE Risk Communication and Community Engagement global standards of UNICEF’s Supply Division. SDG Sustainable Development Goal

Several contracts were agreed with UNICEF’s Supply Division, including with MAS SOPs Standing Operating Procedures Kreeda, to supply for UNICEF/UN globally. Other contracts were agreed locally for SSW Social Service Workforce the supply of PPE for Ministry of Health and World Bank procurements. UCB Universal Child Benefits UN United Nations This timely, innovative strategy by UNICEF made a significant impact on the local UNCRC UN Convention on the Rights of the Child garment industry. New opportunities were created both locally and globally, and remaining staff in many factories were retained. Meanwhile, locally manufactured UNDP United Nations Development Fund PPE reached even the most underserved parts of the world through UNICEF’s UNFPA United Nations Population Fund Supply Division. UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund USAID United States Agency for International Development This shows how even during a pandemic, with the right support, manufacturers can WASH Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene innovate to capture new markets and UNICEF can harness new partners to deliver results. WFP World Food Programme WHO World Health Organization Annual Report 2020 | Sri Lanka 40

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GOVERNMENT CSOs AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SECTOR

Contact: [email protected]

UNICEF_SriLanka

Website: www.unicef.org/srilanka or www.unicef.lk