10 June 2020

The Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection in Kosovo – KOMF has held a virtual discussion on “Steps towards a safe reopening of day care centers for vulnerable children”.

The discussion noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the plight of vulnerable children, many of whom have been left without the necessary services. Non-governmental organizations that provide direct social services, especially through day care centers or through the provision of community services for children with disabilities, children involved in labor, etc., have closed direct services in March by implementing the NIPH-RKS recommendations. . During this meeting, representatives of organizations stated that many of them are offering services through online platforms during this time.

Representatives from social service providers emphasized that they are waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, for a safe reopening of day care centers. They also informed that annual calls for financial support from NGOs have not been opened and without financial support is difficult to provide social services.

After the discussion, participants concluded that before the opening of day care centers, the responsible institutions should take measures and actions for safe reopening:

• To draft and provide a national guideline for providers of social services which will serve to safely reopen day care centers and community services;
• To announce urgent annual calls from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health and municipalities, for the financing of NGOs for the provision of direct services.

This forum was held with representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health, the Assembly of Kosovo, non-governmental organizations, preschool institutions, etc. Participants agreed that after this meeting, KOMF will address needs and recommendations arising from this discussion, to the responsible institutions.

This activity was supported in the frame of the “Joint Action for Decentralization” project, funded by European Union and managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo, which is implemented by Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection in Kosovo – KOMF, in partnership with Organization for Children without Parental Care – OFAP, SOS Children’s Villages in Kosovo and KMOP.