Channels Through which Covid-19 Can Affect School-Going Children: Are we Doing Enough to Minimize the Risks and Impacts?

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 pandemic has affected every continent of the world. The objective of this technical report is to provide an understanding of the key issues faced by school-going children of Pakistan in this current pandemic and to suggest strategies to help children to cope up with the situation. It has affected children as they are more vulnerable to psychological insult and ill-treatment such as domestic violence and sexual/physical abuse. Social distancing and school closure have increased the risk of poor development and nutrition. Underprivileged children have less or no access to digitization thus causing educational loss. Child nutrition is also a vital concern, also the lockdown has disturbed the food supply chain at local markets. Lockdown also jeopardizes water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services causing additional pressure to children's health through water-borne diseases.