COVID-19 Response

I know this is an uncertain time. The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our day-to-day lives. It’s easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed right now.  But times like these also remind us how connected we all are. As a global community, we’re all in this together.  That’s why I want to update you on Plan International’s response to COVID-19, and say thank you for the lifesaving support you continue to provide for girls and their families. 

From distributing health equipment in the Philippines, to guiding parents in Senegal on how to help their children learn to read at home, your support has been vital to strengthening the systems needed to help communities respond in times of crisis. In many communities, the livelihood programs you support are helping families create sustainable food sources, while protection programs are keeping girls safe from abuse.

Today, like all of us, the children and families in the communities you support are struggling to respond to enormous changes to their lives — closed borders, shelter-in-place orders and complete lockdowns in some cases.  Girls and young women who were already vulnerable are now in even more danger. In many of the places where we work, practicing social distancing is a luxury far out of reach. 

One thing I can tell you with certainty is this: We won’t stop. Plan will keep working around the world to keep girls and their families safe and healthy — and we can do that because of you.

In the past, your support has allowed Plan to combat the spread of diseases like Ebola and Zika. Now, we’re bringing that experience and expertise, working closely with communities, governments and partners, to tackle the spread of COVID-19. Because of your support, we’re providing medical supplies, distributing sanitation and hygiene kits, constructing hand-washing stations and training communities on how to prevent the spread of infection.  We’re also working with governments around the world to raise awareness through social media, radio, posters and banners.

In addition, we’re doing our part as good community citizens to keep children and families safe, including suspension of all travel that is not absolutely critical and donor visits to Plan communities until further notice. Mail between sponsors and sponsored children has resumed, and we urge you to take this time to write letters to your sponsored child. Especially now, they look forward to hearing from you. We continue to work to monitor our sponsorship communities and plan to take appropriate action to support your sponsored child’s health, as needed. We’re also working with local partners to provide necessary protective equipment for frontline health workers so they can better serve children and families.

In times like these we, understandably, look inward. We focus on our families, friends and communities. But despite our very human need to attend to our own first, I know you will not forget the communities, families, children and girls around the world who are the most vulnerable in emergency situations. In addition to being the humane thing to do, focusing on helping those most vulnerable outside our borders keeps us and the rest of the world safer.

In this time of anxiety and fear, we’re living from one news alert to the next, with plans for the future put on hold. It’s easy to feel helpless. I know I have. But by continuing your support or making an additional gift to Plan, you will make a difference in this fight. And there’s nothing helpless about that.

We must ensure COVID-19 does not stop this critical work at a time when it is needed more than ever.

Help girls now

If you have any questions, please contact our Donor Loyalty team at 800.556.7918, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. You can also email us at donorrelations@planusa.org or chat with us online through your MyPlan page. 

I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Our hearts go out to those impacted by this crisis. Together we will get through this. Thank you for all you do, and take care.

Dr. Tessie San Martin
President & CEO