July 21, 2021: Orphanhood during COVID-19

Every 12 seconds, a child experiences the death of a parent or caregiver from COVID-19

At least 1.5 million children have been orphaned by COVID-19 worldwide as of April 2021, and the number may now be more than 2 million, a new study by CDC and a group of international researchers estimates. We know that the death of a parent or caregiver increases the likelihood of orphaned children experiencing violence, abuse, and neglect. This loss of caregivers during a pandemic shows the urgent need for ensuring equitable global access to vaccines, along with evidence-based programs and services to strengthen the capacity of families to care for children, prevent child separation, avoid the institutionalization of children, and provide psychosocial supports.