A forum of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) under the aegis of ‘Advocates for Dan Almajiri,’ has called on the Federal Government to provide for Almajiri children in its Coronavirus (COVID-19) response plan.
A position paper made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the forum, on Tuesday in Lokoja, said that the inclusion was necessary to prevent a possible outbreak of Coronavirus disease among the Almajiri children.
The forum of five NGOs, comprising Plan International Nigeria; Street Child; Riplington Education Initiative (REI); Almajiri Child Rights Initiatives and ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), said the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases to more than 600 across Nigeria has raised great concern.
It lauded the palliative measures being rolled out by the government at various levels with support from the private sector but decried the exclusion of Almajiri children.
The Almajiri Children, the forum noted, were already exposed to poor health conditions with a very high probability of contracting the virus if not adequately secured, given their situation.
“According to a 2014 report by UNICEF, Almajiri constitute 9.5 million of the country’s children within the ages of 3-14.
“While it is laudable that the government is investing resources to maintain law and order during the pandemic, there is no evidence of special attention to issues affecting children.
“Especially, the Almajiris and other street kids, who are more vulnerable in periods of emergency which offer a supportive environment for potential predators, ” the statement said.
It described Almajiri as itinerant children sent by their parents from far and near across the country to Quranic teachers to mentor them in Islamic religious knowledge.
It said that most times, they are left to fend for themselves and to survive through street begging and scavenging.
“The Almajiri children are far removed from all major sources of information on COVID-19 and the opportunity of parental guidance on the messages and guidelines.
“Implication of this is that they are not able to protect themselves and will not be able to observe any social or physical distancing or access medical services should they contract the virus,” It added.
The forum also called for the expansion of the social register to include the Almajiri children in the provision and distribution of food, non-food items and cash palliatives at strategic locations close to them.
It also recommended the provision of temporary shelter and proper safety, protection for children on transit in line with child protection and safeguarding principles.
The protocol according to the Forum, should be in line with the Convention on the Rights of Children, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and other conventions ratified by the country. (NAN)
