ISF Increases Its Nutrition Support During the COVID-19 Crisis
ISF Increases Its Nutrition Support During the COVID-19 Crisis
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, we have been working hard to identify how ISF Cambodia can best support our beneficiaries. Not surprisingly, food is a top priority. Even before we entered these uncertain times, nutrition assistance has been one of the bedrocks of our programme. One of the largest barriers to poor childrens’ education in Phnom Penh is food scarcity brought on by income insecurity. According to USAID, nearly 3/4 of drop outs, and those at risk to, state the need to contribute to their household income as the reason they quit school. To help ensure that our students don’t abandon education to work for food, ISF provides two nutritious meals per school day. Families are also provided monthly food parcels with 20kg of rice, cooking oil and other seasonings.
Now, the problem is compounded. As ISF learning centres are closed to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, students miss out on school meals. And severe income losses during the pandemic means that urban poor households are struggling more than ever. Most of the families we surveyed have lost over half or all of their income. Many are living on less than two dollars a day. This simply isn’t enough to feed a whole family.
ISF distributes soap in addition to nutrition support
To combat this issue, ISF has distributed an additional food parcel this month containing 10kg of rice, canned fish and noodles. We also distribute soap to promote hygiene’s role in fighting the spread of Coronavirus. Families pick up their parcels on a group-by-group basis, allowing for the personal distancing recommended by the WHO. During their visit to ISF, educational videos are shown on preventing the spread of the virus and families participate in brief educational workshops. For families hardest hit by the pandemic, 10kg of rice, eggs and beans were also given. By providing these services, we hope to lessen the negative impact on those who are most vulnerable in this crisis—the poor and marginalised.
