Article Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/20/covid-causes-orphan-crisis-in-india-experts-fear-neglect-abuse
As thousands of people die from the Coronavirus every day in India, many children are being left without parents. There are now serious concerns regarding abuse and neglect. In some cases, children are being left by their dead parent because others are scared of getting the virus. In other cases, highly illegal adoption and sex trafficking rings have been discovered, as people try to exploit orphans for money.
The emotional impacts on this generation of children are also extremely concerning. Many are wondering what sort of effects these situations might have on the generation, giving they are occuring on such a large scale. Helplines have been made for children, social media is aiding in the collection of food for newborns, and several illegal adoption sites have been shut down.
Overall, the situation is extremely difficult because Indian authorities and first responders are incredibly overburdened already, without having to worry about accidentally giving a child to an illegal business instead of to a relative. Just as it’s difficult to know the real death toll in India due to the amount of people dying outside of the healthcare system, it’s also difficult to know how many children have been orphaned and how many are in dangerous situations.
All of South Asia (and India in particular) are currently feeling the effects of the pandemic. In terms of principles that we learned in class, it is really important for the global community to help India right now, a demonstration of liberal institutionalism. IGOs like the United Nations along with various NGOs need to step forward with a cohesive plan that ensures the preservation of life and the protection of children. Hopefully, with the help of the global community, India will soon receive the resources and people that it needs to combat this surge of the virus.