Kathmandu – More than 100 million children in South Asia could slip intopoverty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a UN report said Tuesdayof the long-term impact of the crisis.
Cases across the densely populated region — home to almost a quarter ofthe world’s population — have risen in recent weeks even as the regionlifts its lockdown to revive economies badly shattered by the virus.
“While they may be less susceptible to the virus itself, children are beingprofoundly affected by the fallout, including the economic and socialconsequences of the lockdown,” the report by the UN children’s agencyUNICEF said.
South Asia — which includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal,Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan — is home to some 600million children, with around 240 million already living in poverty, theagency said.
In a worst-case scenario, the virus could push another 120 million intopoverty and food insecurity within six months, it warned.
“Without urgent action now, COVID-19 could destroy the hopes and futures ofan entire generation,” UNICEF’s South Asia regional director Jean Goughsaid in a statement.
Progress in healthcare — such as immunisation, nutrition and otherservices — were being “severely disrupted”.
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In Bangladesh, UNICEF said it found that some of the poorest families couldnot afford three meals a day, while in Sri Lanka its survey showed that 30percent of families had cut their food intake.
With schools shut, poorer children have struggled to keep up with theireducation, particularly those in rural households without internet access– or even electricity.
“There are concerns that some disadvantaged students may join the nearly 32million children who were already out of school before COVID-19 struck,”the report added.
Other major concerns include the risks of domestic violence, depression andother mental health issues with youths spending more time at home.
