Discussion on COVID Orphans - Steve Umemoto and others

From Steve Umemoto

The International edition of the New York Times had a front page story today entitled

“Mother, when will you come?”

The Covid orphans of India

It made me wonder about the situation around the country as perceived by our UNICEF pensioners group. Is this a significant and growing problem? Do national or state governments seem to acknowledge it as a problem requiring attention, leadership and resources? Are there any national, regional, state or local NGOs addressing the issued, trying to do something for these children?

If the situation of children who have lost their parents to Covid is indeed a significant problem, not fully embraced by public agencies, might there be something that our group could do? Might some advocacy at state or local level be needed? If there are NGOs already addressing the needs, would additional modest resources that we could raise, strengthen their work and coverage?

ANY THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT?

One word of caution. Even my own initial thought was of somehow gathering together many of these children so that food, health care, education and psyco-social support can be provided. But we must remember that the establishment and perpetration of orphanages has never been the UNICEF strategy of choice. We have always advocated care through extended families and local communities.

Steve Umemoto

From Tom McDermott

Thanks Steve. We have run several articles on this issue of growing numbers of orphans and children on the street as a result of COVID. There is no doubt that it is a very serious issue, and yet there has been virtually no reaction from XUNICEF members - or for that matter from UNICEF itself. If you can raise some concerns around the subject, it would be greatly appreciated. As you point out, UNICEF policy for years has been to push for in-family adoption as an alternative to out-of family, out-of community adoption or worse - orphanages. And yet, are any of our country programmes or the social welfare structures with which we work able to handle the numbers?


Digest of 6 June - COVID Orphans - see Augustine Veliath's article in LINK on new statistics from NCPCR concerning the 30,000 or more children orphaned or abandoned in India recently due to COVID-19. Click here.  Also the LA Times report on interaction of HIV and COVID in parts of Africa and growing fears that untreated victims of HIV may become factories of new variants of several diseases including COVID.  Click here.

5 June - https://xunicefnewsandviews.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-orphans-left-behind-by-covid-19-bbc.html

11 June - https://xunicefnewsandviews.blogspot.com/2021/06/over-30000-indian-children-orphaned.html

23 June - https://xunicefnewsandviews.blogspot.com/2021/06/disturbing-news-from-india-economic.html

Digest of 30 May - And Orphaned - We are equally worried to read of the numbers of orphaned children left behind when parents die from COVID. Are the social welfare and adoption services in countries where UNICEF works ready to deal with the numbers of orphans? Will there be an explosion in numbers of children on the street, as well as those trafficked into prostitution? See article here.

Aug 13, 2020 - https://xunicefnewsandviews.blogspot.com/2020/08/what-will-happen-to-orphans-of-covid-19.html

From Geeta Athreya

Dear Steve and all,

I have not read the article so I can't react to it. The last official number one heard in May was 577 orphaned in the second wave. The government first announced that it is a legal duty to report if such children are found to Child Line. A set of financial aid for education has been announced from the PM Cares fund. Children get admission into birh public and private schools and the fees are to be fully taken care off.

 
Each child gets a fixed sum in their bank account when they turn 18 and they can encash it when they are 23. All this if someone is going to take care of the child.

 
I don't know what the policy is if a child is a total orphan with no family support. Also knowing government programmes how and when these children will receive any aid is if course a huge question.
At the time the news was coming up, there was a strict warning to individuals and families against illegal adoption. UNICEF is also strictly against illegal adoption as there is a real danger of trafficking.

Warm regards,
Geeta

From Augie Veliath

https://bit.ly/3hPDU0Y You would also want to read this article.

Augustine Veliath,

From Steve Umemoto

Augie, Thanks for sharing this. I wonder how many of the possible 2.5 million might have been children, and how many orphans were left behind by those among the 2.5 who were parents of young children. Thanks, Steve

Dear Sree and all,

Thanks for the really substantative response. As you seem to suggest, there are indeed constraints on what we can do at the macro level, inspite of the breath and severity of the problem. We certainly cannot accomplish much by thinking of taking on the national pollitical establishment. Perhaps the best we can do is keep our eyes and ears open and if we learn about any NGOs at the local level actually trying to help COVID orphans, determine whether they could benefit from any modest additional resources. It is of course, difficult to raise funds, without evidence of a specfic delivery strategy and mechanism. But if the mechanisms and will are there to help even a handfull of children, I suspect we could mobilize and contribute something.

It is good to learn that even residents of your complex are helping some of those close at hand who are in need.

Best wishes, Steve