VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) has said it will ensure that children who lose their parents due to COVID-19 get the level of care they need.

"We have made a data management protocol and foster protocol for children infected and affected by COVID-19; children whose parents/caregivers/guardians are infected by COVID-19; as well as children whose parents have died because of COVID-19," PPPA Minister Bintang Puspayoga said in a press release issued here on Monday.

The ministry has also issued a circular to provincial governments on preparing data on children who are separated from their parents due to self-isolation or death so they can get assistance and care, she informed.

Furthermore, the ministry has launched a call center number (129) and WhatsApp number (08111-129-192) where people can report children whose parents have died of COVID-19, she added.

"We also continue promoting the provisions for child protection, child care, child adoption and guardianship," the minister said.

The ministry is also taking preventive measures by optimizing the #BERJARAK movement to ensure women and children are safe and protected from COVID-19, Puspayoga said.

It is also optimizing Community-Based Integrated Child Protection (PATBM) to help families adapt to new habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, she informed.

"The PATBM knows the best about the children in their community. It can coordinate community-based care or find a substitute caregiver for the children separated with their families due to COVID-19," she said.

The ministry is also trying to optimize the role of families in protecting children from COVID-19, she informed. It is children’s right to be well-cared by their own parents or their foster families, she stressed. (Antaranews)