Through the ARC AID initiative, Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has reached over 1,800 vulnerable children and their families nationwide, during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The over 1,000 children and families spanning across 58 islands nationwide was assisted through the ARC AID Programme which provides basic food assistance to the vulnerable children, as well as their families, referred by government authorities, local councils and other NGOs.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began sweeping across the Maldives on 7 March 2020, the government has been initiating stringent measures such as a lockdown, extended curfew and other measures that have had subsequent repercussions on socio-economic growth and the lifestyles of the people which in turn had “far-reaching” impacts on the lives of children.
As such many families have been faced by difficulties due to pay cuts and layoffs, with those who were more severely affected having relocated from the capital region to islands.
With an aim to ease some of the daily struggled faced by these vulnerable families and their children, the ARC AID Programme covers food supply for vulnerable families, ranging from rice, flour, lentils, milk powder, tuna cans, eggs as well as assorted cans of vegetables.
ARC revealed that no child should be deprived of their fundamental right to adequate food and nutrition especially during the ongoing pandemic.
Details of assistance extended under the ARC AID initiative are as follows:
- 290 children and their families from three districts of Malé City
- 103 children and their families from two islands in Kaafu atoll
- 26 children and their families from five islands in Haa Alif atoll
- 133 children and their families from four islands in Haa Dhaal atoll
- 98 children and their families from four islands in Shaviyani atoll
- 109 children and their families from five islands in Noonu atoll
- Three children and their families from one island in Raa atoll
- Six children and their families from one island in Baa atoll
- 19 children and their families from two islands in Lhaviyani atoll
- 63 children and their families from two islands in Alif Alif atoll
- 37 children and their families from four islands in Vaavu atoll
- 37 children and their families from two islands in Meemu atoll
- 151 children and their families from four islands in Faafu atoll
- Six children and their families from one island in Dhaal atoll
- Five children and their families from one island in Thaa atoll
- 161 children and their families from five islands in Laamu atoll
- 165 children and their families from two islands in Gaaf Alif atoll
- 88 children and their families from three islands in Gaaf Dhaal atoll
- 138 children and their families from Fuvahmulah City
- 207 children and their families from six districts of Addu City
ARC extended appreciation and gratitude to partners that assisted in their efforts by making generous contributions during such critical times, such as UNICEF, Bank of Maldives, Dhiraagu and individual donors.
ARC reaffirmed commitment to continue protecting and promoting child rights.
