Covid-19 lockdown procedures are having a devastating effect on the slum dwelling, refugee and internally displaced communities we support around the world. Through over 30 years of working with some of the most marginalised groups, we know they are always the hardest hit in times such as these.

Together with our local partners we have been pursuing sensible solutions to contain the outbreak and so far provided 12,850 essential supply parcels to households who are most affected. This is thanks to the support of many generous donors including The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust, Partners Asia, DAK Foundation, The Body Shop at Home™, Alex and Will De Winton, Jeff Lucas and Postcode Global Trust. 

Wherever possible, we have been using creative solutions to enable children's learning to continue and to ensure they are safe whilst they are cut off from regular protection services. 

In Bangladesh, due to a prolonged state of national lockdown, children have been unable to attend school for the last 18 months. We are so happy to let you know that on Sunday 12th September, the community schools we support in Cox’s Bazar and the Doharazi enclaves finally opened their doors and welcomed children back into the classrooms. 

​Ten days later on Wednesday 22nd September, the Learning Centres we support in Kutupalong refugee camp welcomed back over 2000 Rohingya refugee students after being given the go ahead to open by the government.  Read on to see the reaction from the students and how we have been making the schools safe for the children to return. ​

We updated you recently on the good news that the children are back to school in Lebanon and learning again after months of closures and disruption due to Covid-19. But, the current economic and political climate in Lebanon continues to be increasingly difficult. We spoke to Nuna Matar from our partner organisation this week who gave us an update on what’s happening in the country and how it’s affecting their work.