‘for every child, care & relief’ Campaign Provides Anti-epidemic Emergency Support for Low-income Families Raise Awareness for the Physical and Mental Health of Children during COVID

Hong Kong, April 12, 2022 – Since the start of the fifth COVID-19 wave in Hong Kong, confirmed cases have surged to a record high. UNICEF HK is concerned about children and adolescents suffering from the lockdown for a prolonged period and has swiftly launched ‘for every child, care & relief’ community support campaign. The campaign provides anti-epidemic emergency support for low-income households, including learning materials, rapid antigen self-testing kits, food and sanitization supplies, to underprivileged families with children and/or pregnant women as well as raises awareness for mental health of the children during COVID. UNICEF HK believes that education should never stop, and encourage students to make meaningful use of their time.

Realizing grassroots children and their families take the brunt of COVID pandemic, UNICEF HK launched ‘for every child, care & relief’ campaign in late February and the first batch of relief supplies were swiftly sent to recipients on February 25. 74 local welfare service units and schools acted in concert with UNICEF HK to deliver the supplies to 5,000 families in March when the pandemic was at its worst.  UNICEF HK commends all parties for their prompt response and believes that the campaign provides low-income families with the help and support they need to shelter in place and reduces their infection risk.  With the tremendous support in outreaching to the needy, a total of 7,500 families from all over 18 districts are benefited from the campaign since launch.

Mental health of children and adolescents during the pandemic is UNICEF HK’s primary concern. The ‘for every child, care & relief’ campaign introduces various programmes for children, supporting them to calm emotion and better cope with the changes during COVID. This includes a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) e-Learning platform to provide online courses and practical activities to students during the extended school holidays. Pamphlets issued to support caregivers and children to give vent to their emotion and maintain family relationships. And the “Children’s Radio” programme co-produced by UNICEF HK and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) starting April 13 to October to provide a channel for children to express their feelings on air.

Chairman of UNICEF HK, Ms. Judy Chen expresses her heartfelt gratitude to all respondents and said, “Virus is merciless. We must extend our benevolence towards those in need. Thanks to the generous support of our partners, the campaign is able to be implemented in a short period of time.” Ms. Judy Chen added that as many parents and children stay at home for an unexpected prolonged period during the pandemic, their emotional and mental health also deserves attention. In view of this situation, UNICEF HK launches ‘for every child, care & relief’ campaign to provide grassroots families with education and recreational materials, plus a series of guidelines on emotional support during the pandemic.