ACRI AND STREETCHILD COVID-19 PREVENTION AND RESPONSE FOR ALMAJIRI CHILDREN JULY 2020 Table of Acronyms Acronym Definition ACRI Al-majiri Child Right Initiative COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease 2019 KKK Kaduna, Kano and Kastina PPE Personal Protective Equipment SDG Sustainable Development Goals CS Civil Society UK United Kingdom ECCD Early Child Care Development NFI Non- food items UN United Nations PAGE 1 Introduction The current Corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is not only a global health crisis but a social and economic crisis that has brought tsunami of suffering to Nigerians as well as well-resourced countries. The disease has wreaked havoc on health systems and generated immense losses for families, communities, and economies. The COVID-19 pandemic led to pronouncement of movement restriction order and total lockdown as a measure to curb the spread of the virus was followed by the approval of palliative intervention to support poor households. After carefully monitoring the distribution of the approved funds and palliatives by the federal and state government, it was observed that the vulnerable children were not put into consideration. Al-majiri children are the most vulnerable children as their means of survival depends on begging. With the out breaks of the corona virus the Northern Governors Forum took a decision to unite the Al-majiri’s with their families. Unfortunately some of them continue to stay with their Mallams (Teachers) receiving Islamic education. Looking at the living condition, feeding and hygiene of the Al-majiri children and lack of access to essentials. ACRI funded by Street Child UK supported the Almajiri children with COVID-19 response palliatives for 2000 Al-majiri children in Kaduna, Kano and Kastina State (KKK). This palliative was distributed as follows; Kaduna 500, Kano 800 and Katsina 700, these were prearranged in two categories, the relocation packs and the survival packs. Distribution of palliatives in batches to Almajiri Children in Kaduna State PAGE 2 The table below highlight the age and gender of the children visited. S/N Age Male Female Percentage of Age Range 1 5-10 1700 85% 2 10-18 255 5 13% 3 19-25 40 2% These palliatives were distributed in the approved states capitals and communities in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states. In Kaduna state, distribution took place at Makaranta Mallams, Kadaure Babangida, Government College and Hajji Camp where the relocated Al-Majiri’s living in Government facilities were. For Kano state, distribution took place in these communities: Tsangayar Kwalli, Kofar Dan’agundi, Tsangayar Khalifa Haruna Rasheed, Tsangayar Kurna Alasawa, Tsangayar Kurna, Tsagayar Mallam Mai Sittin, Hisbah Board Headquarter, Karaye Town. In Kastina State, the distribution took place at Sanda Bale Primary school, Samji, Isah Kaita Model primary school, Kaura Local government and Yerima Primary School Dutsinma Local Government. The radio advocacy constituents of the intervention featured Street Child Education Manager Ms. Habiba Makanjuola, using radio jingle and sensitization programmes in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina State respectively. PAGE 3 Distribution of palliatives in batches to Kastina State Almajiri children Program Objective The objective of this project is to ensure protective, inclusive COVID-19 protection and response support for vulnerable Al-majiri children. The planned food and NFI seeks to reduce their vulnerability and enable them to follow recommended social/physical distancing measures; thereby reducing the spread of COVID-19 in their communities. Improve awareness raising, and advocacy will make the ongoing government intervention more inclusive to the needs of almajiri children and build greater attention to their needs, both during and after the current pandemic. To provide short-term food support for the Al-majiri children as a relocation package and survival pack the support their livelihood as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. To increase the knowledge of the Al-majiri children on prevention measures to apply during this pandemic. To encourage the Al-majiri children to take personal protective measures such as use of face mask observing social/physical distancing and hand washing serious, also discussion using fliers to demonstrate symptoms of Covid- 19. Children with the palliatives at locations in Kano-State PAGE 4 ACRI and Street Child -UK COVID-19 response was around Sensitization on washing of hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds. Sensitization on hand sanitizer gel if soap and water are not available. Covering mouth, nose with a tissue or elbow (not hands) when coughing or sneezing Avoiding close contact with people who are unwell. Avoiding the touching eyes, nose or mouth. Food Aid Palliatives such as Rice, Beans, Noodles, Spaghetti) and NFI such as toothbrush, toothpaste and soap, facemask for 500 Almajiri Children in Kaduna, 800 in Kano and 700 in Kastina State. This includes Almajiri children at the government isolation centres and the ones with their Mallams. The Advocacy Program As part of our mandate to ensure wider range of advocacy in-line with the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) hope to have eliminated hunger, ensured decent work for all, and achieved 15 more things aimed to #leave no one behind. The COVID-19 response program had the advocacy visit to State Government officials, pasted 2000 flyer, distributed 2,000 handbills and produced 500 placards with COVID-19 inscriptions showing symptoms and preventive measures to COVID-19. The was production and airing of 3 episodes of radio advocacy jingles and programmes which was aired in the three (3) states. The radio programmes highlights issues such as almajiri child safety, hygiene’s, security, abuse, discrimination and stigmatization during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for more awareness creation. It also emphasis the response of Street Child and ACRI during the pandemic and what informed the intervention. PAGE 5 Radio Advocacy pictures Kaduna, Kano and Katsina State respectively Methodology of Intervention The methodology used in delivery this project are: Pre-Session Meeting: It was agreed that a training session on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) would be a knowledge transfer process by undertaking practical handwashing sessions, use of face mask and observing physical/ social distancing, effective use of hand-sanitisers and feedback from the beneficiaries. Palliative Distribution Sessions: The palliatives distribution sessions were held in 3 locations (Kaduna, Kano and Kastina State) Al-majiris, those in the government facilities who will be relocated to their communities and the Al-majiri with their Mallams in Tsangayar. At the following locations Kaduna, Kano and Kastina State, the distribution was done in batches for a total number of 2000 of Al-majiri children in all states. Distribution NFI: 2000 pieces of branded face masks, antiseptic soap, tooth paste, tooth brush were distributed to the Almajiri Children both children in their Tsangaya and the relocated children at Government facilities in various state. Infographic Advocacy: As part of our advocacy we produced, pasted and distributed 2000 Flyers, 2000 Handbills and produced 500 placards with COVID- 19 inscription. Radio Advocacy Program: The radio jingle was aired in Kaduna, Kano and Kastina State respectively. It featured Street Child Education Manager Ms. Habiba Makanjuola. P ractical session on the use of face mask, use of hand sanitizers and importance of physical distancing PAGE 6 Practical Handwashing Session showing the children participation in the 3 locations Lessons Learnt The practical training on hand washing and practicing of social/physical distancing deepened the understanding of the children preventive measures of COVID 19. As a result of the KII Interview with the state government officials and Mallams on palliative distributed. The beneficiaries and their guardians revealed how pleased the children and their guardians were elated as it was the first time they got palliative. ACRI and STREETCHILD intervention was a value addition to the children as they say, (we are not going home empty handed). We discovered that some of the children have some underling health conditions. As a result of this intervention it was observed that the children lack knowledge of self - hygiene which was then addressed alongside the prevention sensitization. The intervention made us realize that there were some Al-majiris adult among of the children who lacks any form of livelihood skill. Recommendation A replication of this intervention would be of great help to other Al-majiris in other locations who are yet to benefit. It would be of great importance if there is a follow-up program on sensitization of the al-majiri children’s parent on the dangers of letting the children go back to the street. The relocation of Al-majiris to their parents would bring about discrimination and depression, however, it would be of importance to follow-up on the children to ascertain their welfare status both the repatriated and other children in the state living with the Mallams in their Tsagayar. Based on the existing challenges lockdown or no lockdown, the existence of COVID-19 in the country, hunger would continue to be a challenge for the Al-majiri Children and risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus as a result of house to house begging will make them vulnerable, a livelihood support programme for caregivers of Almajiri children will mitigate this challenge. PAGE 7 Success Stories on Interventions The COVID-19 response has so much success stories which can also be referred to as value for money and value addition to the program the Personal Protective Equipment distributed during the interventions was both effectiveness and efficiency. Below is the value addition from the intervention with links: What happened to the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child?” https://t.co/teHi9rSLTx (https://twitter.com/aidfoundation/status/1265045321274490884?s=09) We have watched how children turn from scrambling for anything and everything to waiting their turn and following set order in less than 10 days.