What school closures under COVID-19 mean for children and young people in crisis-affected contexts

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, echoed the concerns of people and organisations around the world when he recently referred to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schooling as a ‘generational catastrophe’.

It estimates that there have been 228,000 additional deaths of children under five in these six countries [Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka] due to crucial services, ranging from nutrition benefits to immunisation, being halted. It says the number of children being treated for severe malnutrition fell by more than 80% in Bangladesh and Nepal, and immunisation among children dropped by 35% and 65% in India and Pakistan respectively... It also estimates that there have been some 3.5 million additional unwanted pregnancies, including 400,000 among teenagers, due to poor or no access to contraception... The interruption to health services also affected those suffering from other diseases - the report predicts an additional 5,943 deaths across the region among adolescents who couldn't get treated for tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid and HIV/Aids

Summary of the main report: Direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 pandemic and response in South Asia . It uses a series of exercises based on actual observed changes in services and intervention coverage to model impacts on mortality, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions due to COVID-19. It also models the impact of nationwide stay-at-home orders to curb the spread of COVID-19 on maternal and child mortality, educational attainment of children, and the region’s economy. The study focuses on South Asia’s six most populous countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and makes the case for interventions and strategies to minimise these indirect consequences

The Actions for Heroes Guide is developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG) to accompany reading the children’s storybook My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19! Available in English, French, Spanish and Ukranian https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-reference-group-mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-emergency-settings/actions-heroes-guide-heart-heart-chats-children-accompany-reading-my-hero-you-how-kids-can-fight The storybook My Hero is You explains how children can protect themselves, their families and their friends from the coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with our new and rapidly changing reality. The storybook has been translated into 135+ languages and multimedia adaptations have been made

Guide pour des discussions franches avec les enfants destiné à accompagner la lecture de Mon héroïne, c’est toi : comment combattre le COVID-19 quand on est un enfant

Guía de charlas serias con los niños para acompañar en la lectura de Mi heroína eres tú, ¿Cómo pueden los niños luchar contra la COVID-19?

Рекомендації з ведення душевних розмов із дітьми у процесі читання казки«Мій герой – це ти, Як діти можуть б��ротися з коронавірусом COVID-19!�

Дети младшего дошкольного возраста нуждаются в комплексном уходе, который включает в себя заботу о здоровь��, полноценное питание, обучение в раннем возрасте, внимательный уход, а также гарантию защиты и безопасности. Лишения в первые годы жизни могут привести к тяжелым последствиям в течение всей жизни, если ребенку не обеспечили эти важнейшие составляющие для оптимального развития. Программа Всемирного банка «Инвестиции в первые годы жизни» включает в себя три основные направления деятельности по реализации потенциала детей

This edition of UNICEF’s annual Humanitarian Action for Children highlights UNICEF’s funding appeal, which sets out an ambitious agenda to address the major challenges facing children and young people living through conflict and crisis. It presents the investments needed in 2021 to save their lives and protect their futures