It is estimated that 85 million more girls and boys may have been exposed to either physical, sexual or emotional violence as a result of COVID-19, and as many as 30 million children’s lives are in danger of secondary health impacts such as exposure to deadly diseases like malaria, lack of immunizations and malnutrition as health systems are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. What’s more, millions more children are at increased risk of child marriage and child labor over the coming years as family livelihoods evaporate, pushing families to identify other forms of income that harm children.
Though the numbers are staggering, there is something we can do to reduce the number of children exposed to violence and ensure their communities are places where children can thrive.
Today, in the second of our six-week series, Covid and the Issues, we’re talking with Krystel Porter, World Relief’s Program Advisor for Child Development and Protection from International Programs. Listen as Krystel shares more about how our child development and protection programming is equipping communities to serve, protect and raise healthy, thriving children, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Come back next week to learn more about how COVID-19 is affecting food security worldwide and what we’re doing to help. And to join us as we fight back against the residual effects of COVID-19, visit worldrelief.org/covid-19.
Rachel Clair serves as a Content Writer at World Relief. With a background in creative writing and children’s ministry, she is passionate about helping people of all ages think creatively and love God with their hearts, souls and minds.