How Organisations & Individuals Are Helping Children Who Lost Both Parents To COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has manifested itself as multiple crises in one, some visible, some non-visible. The death numbers and the rising cases can obscure some of pandemic's collateral damages. In this particular, the thousands of children who have lost their parents to the fatal virus.

A UNICEF report in March projects that when audited, India will have the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths among children under five, and the highest number of maternal deaths in South Asia in 2020; 29,0000 such mortalities have already occurred in the region.

Thousands of children are left orphaned in the course of the pandemic, a part of the broader grief leaving a lasting toll on the society.

Losing a family member is hard for any person of any group, but it can be particularly destablising for children.

PTI

Taking note of the crisis, many people have come forth to help these children.

DCPCR launches helpline for children

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) has launched a helpline number to address the needs of those children, who have been left orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic, a statement said on Friday.

The number (+91 9311551393) will also address the concerns of those children whose parents are hospitalised or who are facing any other distress, it added.

A panel of counsellors is being constituted to address the anxiety, loneliness and trauma of the children in such situations.

DCPCR chairman Anurag Kundu will keep a close watch and ensure that the issues raised by the callers are addressed within 24 hours, the statement said.

"Children are the most vulnerable in these testing times as they remain dependent on others to provide for them. The panel is receiving numerous cases wherein a child has lost all sources of support and is in need of immediate care. The commission is committed to resolving all such cases in less than 24 hours," Kundu said.

Reuters

The DCPCR intervenes within 24 hours on all SOS calls on the helpline.

In some cases, the DCPCR has received SOS calls informing it that a child has lost both the parents to COVID-19.

In another case, a child lost one parent and the other was in hospital. These situations render the children vulnerable, traumatised and in a state of panic.

In another case, the commission received two children who lost both parents within a day. The relatives and neighbours are taking care of the children now, while the commission has been checking on them everyday, it said.

Noida police launches programme to help children

Noida Police has launched a citizen volunteer programme to help children from families impacted by the pandemic.

Several citizens had sought help from police helplines to help out kids who have either lost their parents to the virus or both are infected by it.

The programme will be a coordination between police, childline officials and good samaritans.

BCCL

The police will be arranging temporary accommodation and food supplies. In the event of their parents¡¯ death, adoption procedures will be followed.

On Thursday, Noida Police appealed on Twitter for locals to participate in the programme. In a few hours, more than 20 Noida residents signed up for the programme.

If a child loses both parents to Covid, do not give away the child to any random person or shelter. Call 1098 to contact the nearest specialised adoption agency. #ProtectTheChildren #Covid19 @PremnathV6 @aparanjape @CARAWCD @MinistryWCD @NCPCR_ @Covid19 pic.twitter.com/D9jl6l0Ojj

¡ª Where Are India's Children (@waic_campaign) May 1, 2021

Some organisations have also come forward to ease the adoption process in the event of a child losing both their parents.