WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Plan International USA (Plan) announced receipt of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) grant to lead and develop global efforts to ensure the Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPHA) workforce is better equipped to adapt child protection (CP) programming in the context of COVID-19. The 12-month project, titled Building Capacity of CPHA Practitioners to Respond in Times of COVID-19, launched July 24, 2020.
“Children, especially girls, are the most vulnerable group during a crisis,” said Dr. Tessie San Martin, President and CEO of Plan International USA. “They are even more exposed to violence, exploitation and abuse. This grant will help ensure children and girls safer during and after COVID-19 by providing child protection workers with opportunities and tools to build their capacity to adapt to the dynamic COVID-19 context.”
This program aims to build the capacity of 15,200 child protection workers by mapping capacity gaps, defining priorities and strategic direction in terms of capacity development, and providing both remote learning opportunities and face-to-face learning materials. The project will develop a CPHA and COVID-19 capacity building plan and strategy; develop CPHA and COVID-19 learning and development material and develop; and launch, and roll-out a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on CP program adaptations in the context of COVID-19.
After extensive consultation with local, national, regional, and global humanitarian actors, two key actions were identified to address the capacity building needs of CPHA practitioners during COVID-19:
- Develop essential learning and development resources on the protection of children during COVID-19; and
- Increase opportunities to exchange and share innovative program practices for child protection practitioners at global, regional, and national level.
Plan is particularly well-placed to implement such programming. The BHA at USAID has funded Plan for two other projects. The first project, which was completed at the end of April 2020, focused on developing effective, evidence-supported guidance and tools to strengthen the effectiveness of community-level child protection programming. The second project seeks to establish evidence-supported guidance and tools for engaging community members in child protection case management and to develop a comprehensive prevention framework to address the root causes of violence against children.
To request an interview or more information, please contact:
Robin Costello
Robin.Costello@planusa.org
Mobile: 401-562-2796
About Plan International USA
Powered by supporters, Plan International USA partners with adolescent girls, young women and children around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are unique to their needs and the needs of their communities, ensuring they achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and safety. Founded in 1937, Plan is an independent development and humanitarian organization that is active in more than 80 countries.
