The increasingly widespread of COVID-19 and the growing number of infected people requires a massive movement to tackle the pandemic. The NGOs Network for Elimination of Child Labour (JARAK) launched a Joint Movement to Protect Families and Children, called #BERJARAK (take a distance) to prevent the spreading of COVID-19 up to the village level online on 14 April 2020.
The launching was marked by a discussion moderated by Mr. Misran Lubis, Head of National Secretariat of PAACLA Indonesia and presented three speakers, Mr. Indra Gunawan, Deputy for Community Participation, Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA), Ms. Tresye Widiastuty, MD, the medical consultant of #BERJARAK Movement, and Mr. Herman as Program Manager of #BERJARAK.
The launch was participated by 44 people from 11 provinces and 30 institutions, consisting of JARAK members, civil society organizations, and government agencies at both the central and regional levels. Ms. Tresye Widiastuty, MD conveys information regarding Covid19, facts related to the virus, prevention measures (social and physical distancing), the importance to maintain immunity, and protocol for the funeral of people that died of COVID-19. She stresses the need for a healthy and clean living habits that could help drive away the virus. Covid-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and it is important to follow the health protocol that has been issued by the government.
Mr. Indra Gunawan explains 10 steps that can be taken to prevent families and children from being infected during this pandemic period: stay at home; ensure women’s and children’s rights are protected; ensure the personal protective equipment (masks) are available; take care of ourselves, family, and our surrounding environment; keep physical distance; stay alert with the movement of people and goods; disseminate correct information; be active in online media and set up referral homes.
JARAK, which is currently implementing project activities in 12 villages in West Nusa Tenggara and East Java, would take concrete actions among others: develop Information and Education Communication (IEC) materials, procure personal protective equipment for the community, and support government appeals related to COVID-19 prevention.
It is the time for all parties to practice clean and healthy life behavior, to follow the health protocols and government appeals (social and physical distancing), take concrete actions at the community level to cut off the virus transmission and to create "safe and family-friendly homes."
JARAK and National Secretariat of PAACLA Indonesia