UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Thursday on families and global leaders to “protect children,” who stand to suffer severe consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I appeal to families everywhere, and leaders at all levels: protect our children.”
The report finds that the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, together with measures to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus, could potentially be catastrophic for millions of children worldwide.
It details how the crisis is putting young lives at risk in key areas that include education, food, safety and health.
Practically all students worldwide are now out of school because of the pandemic.
Nearly 190 countries have imposed school closures, affecting 1.5 billion children and young people.
Sixty per cent of all children worldwide are living in countries that have implemented full or partial lockdowns, according to the report.
As the crisis deepens, family stress-levels also are rising, and children confined at home are both victims and witnesses of domestic violence and abuse.
School closures also mean the loss of what the UN chief called “an important early warning mechanism” for incidents.
“There is also a danger that girls will drop out of school, leading to an increase in teenage pregnancies”, he added.
Earlier this week, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners reported that with more children relying on technology for learning and socializing, the risk of online abuse and exploitation is rising.
The Secretary-General underlined the special responsibility social media companies have in ensuring child protection online.
Hospitals and health facilities overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients are making it difficult for children to access standard care.
Governments are urged to take steps to counter the unintended effects on children by rolling out or expanding social assistance to families, securing food supply chains and local food markets, and prioritizing the continuity of services such as schooling, nutrition programmes, and maternal and newborn care.
The report further recommends specific protections for the most vulnerable children, such as migrants, refugees, minorities, children with disabilities, and those living in slums.
Standard strategies for physical distancing and lockdowns should be adapted in places such as low-income settings in urban areas, refugee camps and conflict zones.
