Corona virus response

Mutinta*, 14, Zambia

When Mutinta’s school closed because of coronavirus, it didn’t just mean that she and her classmates would miss out on vital education, they also missed out on nutritious school lunches provided by Save the Children through their school feeding programme.

Mutinta’s family have struggled to grow food and earn a living over the past year as a lack of rain caused drought across Zambia. Now with coronavirus restrictions in place, her family is under even more pressure to survive.

Our teams adapted quickly, and provided ‘take home’ food packs for families like Mutinta’s in rural Zambia, so they could continue to receive nourishing food while schools are closed. We also ran radio campaigns to raise awareness of the virus and how to protect yourself and your family.

Now with schools reopening, Save the Children is providing hand washing facilities for schools. Mutinta is really happy to be back at school, but she also shines a light on the impacts of coronavirus and school closures on other children. Some of her friends have been forced into early marriage, while others have had to move away, and can no longer attend school.

The pandemic is the largest humanitarian crisis Save the Children has ever faced. In 2020 across 87 countries, including the United States, our teams launched and sustained an emergency response to contain the spread, protect communities, and support children and families affected by COVID-19.

Today, we’re still working together with children to beat the virus and the impact is has had on their lives, work made possible by our partners and supporters. New hope can be found in vaccines as they are developed and rolled out. We are pressing leaders around the world and working with our partners to ensure the most vulnerable people will have access and are prioritized, as well as health workers, community leaders and teachers who are critical to keeping children safe and learning. There is hope, but there is more work to do.

The pandemic came at a time when millions were already going hungry and missing out on learning at school. We have to build a better, fairer world if we want to prevent the 2020’s from becoming a "lost decade" of tragic reversals in newborn, child and maternal health; in lifting families out of poverty; in education for all; and inequality for girls and women. We will win the battle against the virus but will lose the war against the pandemic for a generation if we do not ensure that children get back to school safely, have enough food to eat and are protected. We owe it to children to get this right.

The attached project report gives a full update on Save the Children's Covid-19 response.  From ensuring continuing education for children out of school, to providing safe water and sanitation supplies across the globe, we’re adapting and expanding how we deliver our world-class programs and advocate for children, as well as launching new and innovative initiatives to prevent, mitigate and respond to the pandemic’s devastating impacts.

• One year on: Covid Response Report (PDF)