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Aftershock of Covid-19 forces millions of children into begging, child labour and early marriages

A pregnant women her child in Rent District - Simon Townsley 
A pregnant women her child in Rent District - Simon Townsley
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter .
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter .

As incomes plummet and jobs are lost en masse in the wake of coronavirus, millions of children are being forced into begging, child labour and early marriages, a report has found. 

World Vision, a humanitarian organisation, said that global predictions of the economic impact of the pandemic on children are now becoming a reality.

Already, eight million children have been forced into begging and child labour as a consequence of the outbreak, World Vision warns. The report said 110 million children are facing hunger, and that 85 million households across Asia have little or no food stocks.

Norbert Hsu, of World Vision, warned that “we are on the cusp of a catastrophe for children”.

The United Nations has projected that 66 million more children could fall into extreme poverty, adding to the existing 385 million children living in extreme poverty in 2019. In May, the UN also warned that the impact of Covid-19 could push an additional 10 million children into acute malnutrition.

Before the outbreak gripped the world, malnutrition accounted for almost half of all deaths for under-fives.

Two month old Kenai Rivero is checked by doctors for malnutrition - CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS /Reuters
Two month old Kenai Rivero is checked by doctors for malnutrition - CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS /Reuters

Lockdowns and travel disruptions have curtailed people’s ability to earn money, while small and medium businesses have lost income and savings are being depleted. 

Across Africa, over two-thirds of people reported that they are earning less than half of their pre-coronavirus income, while one-third of households across Asia reported they had lost work or income since the outbreak. A group leader in Myanmar told World Vision: “The lives of most daily casual workers in our village are more difficult as they have no job opportunity for earning income.” 

In Cambodia, 28 per cent of households facing loss of work and income were sending their children out to work, while in Bangladesh 34 per cent were sending their children to beg. Children who would normally benefit from school meals are now going hungry because of school closures.

The pandemic has struck a double blow for displaced families seeking asylum in countries already affected by food insecurity. Mr Hsu added: “It is often the most vulnerable families and their children who are hardest hit. Those living in fragile countries already suffering from conflict, climate change, instability or displacement, and those who are relying on humanitarian assistance.”

Stunting | A silent emergency threatening millions of young lives
Stunting | A silent emergency threatening millions of young lives

Kabita*, a 12-year-old who hopes to one day be a doctor, is going to bed hungry after her father’s work pulling rickshaws stopped when the lockdown was announced in Bangaldesh. She said: “Dad beats us when we ask for more food. He is frustrated and angry.”

The United Nations Population Fund has forecast an additional 13 million child marriages over the next ten years due to the economic impact of coronavirus too.

Erica Hall, World Vision UK’s child marriage expert, said: “As the global economy suffers and parents lose income, those already living hand to mouth are forced to make very difficult choices: do you marry one daughter young to put food on the table for the rest of your children? We’re already seeing this happen.”

“Meanwhile access to support mechanisms like schools, community groups and social workers has fallen due to lockdowns. Being at home more, while crucial to stop the virus, means children aren’t in contact with those who would normally be able to help,” she added.

12-year-old Kabita looks out of her window -  Apolo Das
12-year-old Kabita looks out of her window - Apolo Das

The report warned of irreparable damage to the lives of current and future generations of children.

It urged governments, UN agencies, donors, NGOs and the private sector to scale up child protection programmes, maintain food and market systems, and invest in an inclusive green economic recovery. The UN has estimated it would cost $90bn (£72bn) to protect the world’s most vulnerable children and families from the worst of the Covid-19 fallout.

“Without urgent action we risk an increase in extreme poverty and hunger not seen for decades,” Mr Hsu said.

World Vision analysed data from 14,000 households in Asia, more than 2,400 small business owners in Africa, and 360 Venezuelan migrants across Latin America.

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