COVID Orphanhood

About COVID Orphanhood

The COVID pandemic caused a global orphanhood crisis. A modelling study estimated that over 10.5 million children had lost a parent or caregiver to COVID by May 2022, roughly one child for every two COVID deaths. India, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and the United States were among the countries with large numbers of affected children. Orphaned children face increased risks of poverty, mental health problems, abuse, and exploitation. Extended family networks absorbed most orphaned children, particularly in low income countries. Institutional care was rare and generally discouraged by UNICEF. The economic and social impacts of COVID orphanhood will persist for decades. The orphanhood crisis received far less attention than direct COVID mortality, despite its enormous long term significance. Programs to support orphaned children remain underfunded.