The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the
European Union have employed 2,000 female internally displaced persons (IDPs) to
produce 40,000 face masks and 12,000 bars of soap in Borno State.
The production which is taking place in two
UNICEF-supported vocational centres in Maiduguri is funded by the EU.
According to a statement issued by UNICEF on Monday,
more than 2,000 vulnerable households will benefit from the materials as part
of mitigation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The statement quoted the Education Manager of UNICEF
Borno Field Office, Dr. Nasser Kaddoura, to have said that the “vocational
centres which were producing free school uniforms for vulnerable girls and
boys, will provide female-headed households and out-of-school youths in Borno State
with another skill set in face masks and soap production.
“These centres will revert to its original purpose
at the end of the pandemic along with new COVID-19 related vocational training
skills.”
Kaddoura said: “UNICEF is working to ensure that
children and families are safe and can return to school once the pandemic is
over. We are currently supporting radio learning programme in the state. With
the funding from the EU, UNICEF is supporting the Borno State Government
through the state Agency for Mass Education, with 40,000 face masks to ensure
that families and children are protected from COVID-19. In addition to hand
washing with soap, properly using of face masks can help prevent the spread of
COVID-19.”
He added that the production would take place under strict
safety guidelines, disclosing that gloves, face masks, and hand washing points
with water have been provided at the centre while social distancing would be
compulsory.
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