The study says the number of such death nearly doubled in the six months from May 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021, compared with the figures after the first 14 months of the pandemic (March 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021).
More than 5.2 million children globally have lost a parent or caregiver, according to a new study that includes India, Iran and 18 other countries. Two out of three orphaned kids are adolescents aged 10 to 17 years, a report in the Khaleej Times says
The study says the number of such death nearly doubled in the six months from May 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021, compared with the figures after the first 14 months of the pandemic (March 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021).
The study also suggests that two out of three children orphaned are adolescents aged 10 to 17 years. Additionally, the parents’ deaths for three out of four children worldwide were fathers.
The countries covered in the study are Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, England and Wales, France, Germany, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Spain, USA and Zimbabwe.
The study says that overall, such children face an increased risk of poverty, exploitation and sexual violence or abuse, HIV infection, mental health challenges and severe distress, and in some contexts, increased vulnerability to gang involvement and violent extremism.
The countries covered in the study are Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, England and Wales, France, Germany, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Spain, USA and Zimbabwe.
The researchers say these children need to be included in rehab programmes that support economic strengthening, enhanced community and family support, and programmes and preferably not placed in institutional care.
The study’s lead author, Susan Hillis, from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says: “We estimate that for every person reported to have died as a result of the pandemic, one child is left orphaned or loses a caregiver. That is the equivalent of one child every six seconds facing a heightened risk of lifelong adversity unless given appropriate support in time”.
“Thus, support for orphaned children must be immediately integrated into every national Covid-19 response plan. Such support should focus on three core components: preventing caregiver death through equitable Covid-19 vaccine coverage, containment and treatment; preparing families that are safe and nurturing to support affected children.
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