We’re Not Doing Enough To Help COVID Orphans

The death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic has been staggering, especially here in Malaysia as the number of deaths due to COVID-19 has surpassed 11,000 and we are reporting upwards of 100 to 300 deaths a day in the past weeks. That’s 11,000 people whose deaths leave a huge hole in the lives of their families and friends, including children who have lost one or both of their parents or caregiver to COVID-19. A recent study in the Lancet estimated that for every 2 people who die of COVID, 1 child is left orphaned. This group of children has even been referred to as COVID orphans, and this shows us just how widespread this problem is. So what are we doing to protect and provide for these children? What can we do to mitigate the economic, developmental and psychological impact that they will face because of COVID-19? Here to dive into this, is Sharmila Sekaran, chairperson of Voice of the Children.

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