The Government of Saint Lucia has delivered on another component of its social stabilization program in the National COVID-19 Response.

The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment has partnered with UNICEF to prepare and distribute hygiene and care kits to households that receive child disability grants and foster care grants. Recognizing the social and economic impact of the pandemic on vulnerable families, the initiative is aimed at protecting vulnerable households from contracting COVID-19 without placing further burden on finances.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Equity, Ms. Velda Joseph said: “The provision of the hygiene kits will not only help protect the children from contracting the novel coronavirus but allows for the limited financial resources of the household to be used on other items that are also need.”

The distribution of hygiene and care kits forms part of interventions to strengthen social protection systems under the National COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan. To support household expenditure and defray COVID-19 related increased costs, public assistance grants including child disability and foster care grants were increased by $100.

“Initiatives such as this one forms part of a wider reform of the social protection system being undertaken by the Government of Saint Lucia to enhance the quality of life of all citizens,” Ms. Joseph said. “We are pleased to be partnering with UNICEF and other development partners in support of those most in need among us.”

The UN Children’s Agency has made available EC$34,500 to assist with the provision of these items in support of the government’s COVID-19 response, benefitting over 500 families. Another vulnerable group, persons living with HIV/AIDS will also receive care packages.

The hygiene and care kits are being distributed through primary health care facilities and local municipal offices.