Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has provided basic food supplies to over 300 children and their families as part of their “ARC AID” programme, launched to facilitate the provision of food supplies to vulnerable children and families affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
In a statement, the local NGO wrote that several vulnerable families have been hit “extremely hard” in the wake of the pandemic and that containment measures placed by the government have left them unable to earn during the crisis.
Highlighting their belief that no child should deprived of their fundamental right to adequate food even during a pandemic, ARC revealed that the programme was launched with the aim to mitigate some of their everyday struggles.
Up until May 21, ARC provided basic food supplies to over 382 families from 10 islands and five atolls.
This includes children from single-parent families and those with disabilities.
Food packages and supplies have reached:
- 144 children and their families in Male’
- 54 children and their families in H.Dh Kulhudhuffushi
- 14 children and their families in Sh. Narudhoo
- 2 children and their families in Ha. Thakandhoo
- 9 children and their families in Ha. Uligamu
- 14 children and their families in Sh. Maaungoodhoo
- 31 children and their families in N.Manadhoo
- 33 children and their families in K. Thulusdhoo
- 30 children and their families in K.Himmafushi
- 51 children and their families in Sh. Milandhoo
ARC wishes to thank its partners and individual donors for their generosity at this critical time and reaffirms commitment to protect and promote the rights of children throughout the country.”Advocating the Rights of Children
These food supplies include assorted cans of vegetables and beans, rice, floud, lentils, tuna cans, eggs and well as milk power.
The initiative provides aid to vulnerable families with children referred by government authorities, local councils and other NGOs.
Contributors towards the programme include United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Dhiraagu and Bank of Maldives, who are main partners of the initiative by the NGO.
