Mahima Devkota
Covid-19 pandemic is keeping 1.6 billion children & youth out of school in 161 countries – almost 80% of the world’s enrolled students (World Bank, 2020). During pandemics such as the current COVID-19 scenario, mainly orphaned children are at risk of physical and emotional maltreatment, mental health, psycho-social distress, and socio-economic exclusion. These have major repercussions such as children being devoid of basic needs and having lack of access to cleanliness and awareness about health hazards which in turn might aid in spreading the virus.
The present scenario and other similar ones disrupt the natural growing environment of children. The negation on daily routine like going to school, playing with friends, visiting places and relatives- mostly grand-parents is disrupted due to self-isolation and stay at home polity. Both children and caregivers are put into the environmental stressors for gaining means and resources which sway the normality in home, school, and outside environment, impacting the socio-economical context that children are living in. For instance, competition for scarce resources, and limited access to community support heightened the risk of mental illness, emotional instability, child abuse, neglect, and violence. It becomes more difficult for children who are vulnerable, poor, and marginalized, especially the sheltered ones in orphanages.
In Nepal, according to UNICEF statistics (2009), there are approximately 650,000 orphan children. Most orphanages are operating from sponsorship by foreign nationals or foreign organizations. In circumstances, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, where nations are re-prioritizing the usage of scare resources, foreign donors will shift their monetary priorities in support of their own citizens. In addition, the proposed pragmatic approaches of self-isolation prescribed by international health communities such as staying indoors, being hydrated, getting sanitized (preferably through handwashing), and stocking up on the reasonable amount of food and supplies. However, unavailability of means and resources because of cut-backs in funding will have a direct impact on the daily livelihood of orphans ranging from lack of food, sanitation, security, education, and other economic means. Therefore, the aforementioned important preventive measures are out of reach for most orphanages and this might quell the facilitation of children by the care-taker, subsequently having a severe impact in the emotional, social, economic, and psychological needs of the orphaned.
Furthermore, according to UNICEF, prior to the earthquake of April 25th, 2015, approximately 16,000 children resided at orphanages in Nepal. It has been estimated that up to 85% of children in orphanages have at least one living parent. This is driven by a lack of economical means in the family. If the current- COVID-19 pandemic situation prolongs, this will have a severe impact on the economy, resulting in a surge in unemployment, especially among the blue-collared workers. Moreover, most blue-collared workers are employed in organizations located in Kathmandu, Bhaktpur, Lalitpur, Kavre, Kaski, and Chitwan where 75% of child-care homes in Nepal are situated (UNICEF, 2018). Hence, it can be inferred that if there is a significant loss of such blue-collared jobs, there is a strong likelihood that more children- ones with at least one living parent, might end up in orphanages. Therefore, this will strain the limited means and space of such institutions, as the inflow of residents might surge by even 200-300 percentages, alarmingly increasing the possibility of spread of the deadly virus.
To conclude, a possible strategic plan should be to focus on the healthcare of children. Firstly, the government should expand the current relief package to blue-collared workers not only ensuring coverage of daily wages but also providing food stamps for them to have easy availability of food and medicine. Furthermore, the provision of free health insurance to blue-collared workers and their families might cater to minimize the potential in-flux of a large number of children in orphanages. Likewise, the government should expand the ad-hoc ‘waiver of rent’ program to orphanages as well which will result in freeing up of vital monetary resources.
In addition, Nepal should intervene in the health and hygiene habits of children. There should be the availability of minimal toilet and hand-washing facilities, and availability of clean drinking water in schools and child-care centers. The government should monitor and support the provision of food and nutrient facilities in orphanages. Furthermore, to maintain the education progress of children in orphanages, the government should exercise on providing broadband services and access to online education, so that children can get engaged in reading and learning. Local bodies should work with schools to ensure that protection and safety messages are delivered to parents and children in a way that limits panic and distress and reassures and encourages adherence as per health messages. Schools and teachers should fulfill the role of guardians for orphaned children’s safety and help them assess their coping abilities. There should be the development of an inter-agency plan, in collaboration with relevant authorities, to strengthen the care of vulnerable children. Each case of children should be registered, monitored in collaboration with health workers, caseworkers and community people and care-takers. Finally, the Government should also maintain helpline services in case of abuse and violence of children, provide guidance for health staff on child-friendly communication, and special measures to support children’s psychosocial well-being when undergoing treatment and quarantine.
