Coronavirus “severely disrupted” immunization, nutrition and other services
Kathmandu:
More than 100 million children in South Asia could fall into poverty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a UN report on the long-term impact of the crisis reported on Tuesday.
Cases in the densely populated region – home to almost a quarter of the world‘s population – have increased in recent weeks as the region lifts its lock to boost economies severely shattered by the virus.
“Although they may be less susceptible to the virus itself, children are deeply affected by the fallout, including the economic and social consequences of the lockdown,” says the report from the United Nations Children’s Agency. , UNICEF.
South Asia – which includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan – is home to some 600 million children, of whom about 240 million already live in poverty, the agency said.
In the worst case, the virus could push an additional 120 million people into poverty and food insecurity within six months, he warned.
“Without urgent action now, COVID-19 could destroy the hopes and future of an entire generation,” UNICEF regional director for South Asia Jean Gough said in a statement.
Advances in health care – such as immunization, nutrition and other services – were “severely disrupted”.
In Bangladesh, UNICEF said it found that some of the poorest families could not afford three meals a day, while in Sri Lanka, its survey found that 30% of families had reduced their food intake.
With schools closed, the poorest children find it difficult to follow their education, especially those in rural households without Internet access – or even electricity.
“It is feared that some disadvantaged students will join the nearly 32 million children who were not yet in school before COVID-19 struck,” added the report.
Other major concerns include the risks of family violence, depression and other mental health problems among youth who spend more time at home.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
