Early childhood dev should be prioritised as an essential service in humanitarian crisis: Experts

Recognising the pivotal role of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in both normal and crisis situations, experts and stakeholders emphasised prioritising ECD as an essential service in every disaster and humanitarian response. 

This advocacy was the centerpiece of the event titled "Play with a Purpose: Insights and Impacts from the Play to Learn Partnership", organised by Sesame Workshop in collaboration with its consortium partners BRAC, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and New York University Global ties, said a press release.

Sesame Workshop is a U.S. based international development organisation and the producer of the popular Bangladeshi children's television series, Sisimpur.

The event, held in Cox's Bazar, was inaugurated by the Rohingya Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman.

The second session featured Md. Samsud-Douza, Additional Commissioner for Refugee Relief and Repatriation, as the chief guest. The closing ceremony was graced by Md. Salahuddin, District Commissioner (DC) of Cox's Bazar, as the chief guest. 

Leaders from Sesame Workshop USA, New York University, and numerous national, international, and UN organisations attended, along with approximately 150 participants. The event emphasised the importance of Early Childhood Development (ECD) for children affected by crises, particularly the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals residing in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh.

The Play to Learn project, launched by Sesame Workshop and its consortium partners, focuses on fostering the physical and cognitive development of children through ECD initiatives. Central to the project are two fictional Rohingya child characters, Noor and Aziz, designed to resonate with displaced Rohingya children and ensure education through play and entertainment. These characters have gained immense popularity among the children in the camps.

To support learning, Sesame Workshop developed approximately 150 educational videos in the Rohingya language featuring Noor and Aziz. These videos are shown in the camps via PICO projectors distributed to BRAC Play Labs, UNHCR centers, and other organizations such as Save the Children, Terre des Hommes (TDH), Relief International, and CODEC. 

Additionally, Sesame Workshop has created and published 12 storybooks in Burmese, English, and Bangla, which are distributed through 14 partner organisations in Rohingya ECD centers, benefiting approximately 200,000 children. The organisation has also provided ECD Home Kits to families, accompanied by training for parents and caregivers on their effective use.

The programme revealed remarkable achievements, reporting that 800,000 children from the Rohingya and host communities participated in the 'Play to Learn' initiative over the past six years. Research studies indicate that 70% of children reached a target for their holistic development, including creative, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills. Based on monitoring data, 91% of children met targets for good mental health and 96% of caregivers reported feeling healthy mentally and emotionally.