Bhubaneswar: Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, children whose parent are dying or under treatment in Covid hospitals have been rendered orphaned or helpless. Near and dear ones or relatives are also unwilling to come forward and take care of these abandoned children. Considering the vulnerable situation Women & Child Development and Mission Shakti Department has issued 24X7 helpline 1098, OSCPSR helpline 1800-345-4494 and State Covid helpline 104 for immediate tracking of these children.
Any person coming across child below the age of 18 who have been orphaned or have parents who have been under treatment in Covid hospitals or in isolation may contact the helpline numbers or get in touch with Child Protection Officer for immediate rescuing of these children.
Department of W&CD and MS with its strong networking system has been facilitating uninterrupted operation of CHILDLINE team in all over the State to provide rescue and response services to children. Created Sarapanchs’ WhatsApp group in every district. Sarapanchs are also the Chairperson of the Grampanchayat level child protection committees. The cases require intervention are also being reported through this platform. Having close coordination with field level functionaries and attending every children in risk. Responding to issues and grievances of CCIs through WhatsApp group. Made child protection alliance through networking and regular contact with civil society organisation(CSO)s.
Helpline numbers 1098 and 104 displayed at Covid Care Centres, isolation homes along with contact details of DCPU and CWCs to aware the public and affected people for the protection of their children. Temporary homes have been created in 30 districts to safely keep the distressed children whose families are affected by Covid second wave. So far 4 children have been identified and kept in CCIs.
Detailed instruction to CCIs for prevention and management has been issued. Provided virtual training to CCI functionaries regarding covid prevention and infection management. Restricted outsiders entry to the CCIs. Mapping of staffs has been done and restricting their movements. Prepared Corona calendar and implemented in CCIs for creative engagement of children. Creative engagement through special campaign and smart education through personalised learning app. Prepared a psycho social manual in local language and practiced through training of the trainers and implementers. Financial assistance to all CCIs has been ensured. Up to date funds have been released to aided CCIs and token support to non-aided CCIs.
Provision of Thermal Scanner, Oxymeter, Mask and sanitizers to all CCIs. Disinfection and sanitization of CCIs are conducted in regular interval. Mandatory inspections are conducted through virtual visits. Isolation facilities have been created in CCIs in every district. There are 8500+ children in 238 CCIs cared by 2000+ care givers. Tracking each case of infection is done on regular basis.
Notified with designating Joint Secretary, Child Welfare as State Nodal officer for care and Protection of children orphaned due to COVID. All District Child Protection Unit Staffs, CHILDLINE team members, all care givers of Child Care Institutions, 181 women helpline staff and One Stop Centre Members are declared as frontline workers and initiated for their vaccination.
Principal Secretary, W&CD, MS Smt. Anu Garg reviewed the steps taken for protection of children affected by Covid and instructed field functionaries to take additional measures. Director, ICDS Sri Arvind Agarwal has written letter to Collectors and send advisory for protection of children across the State.
Comments are closed.