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INDIA: COVID Spike Further Risks Children's Education, Mental Health - Save the Children

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (April 19, 2021)— Save the Children is concerned about hundreds of thousands of children in India's capital during the one-week lockdown beginning today, after the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. 

Children risk being affected by the lockdown: school closures are causing them to miss out on their education again, and living in isolation or their families being pushed out of work can profoundly impact children. As lockdowns across India are needed to curb the spread of COVID-19, local and national officials must ensure children's well-being is being prioritized.

As the country sees a spike in cases, officials in the capital region are imposing a new lockdown to prevent a collapse of the healthcare system that already faces a critical shortage of beds, ventilators, and medical oxygen.

Sudarshan, CEO of Save the Children in India, says:

"The recent spike in COVID-19 cases in India is extremely worrying. This pandemic has already had a severe impact on the well-being of children over the past year. This most recent wave is likely to be even more damaging for children's mental health, and it increases the threat to their protection and education as children out of school can face an increased risk of abuse.”

"Mental health is often among the most neglected aspects of a crisis like this one, and our teams on the ground are noticing an ever-increasing need for psychological support for children. The closure of schools and the economic fallout of the pandemic, and the impact it has had on their parent's health and jobs will have a long-lasting effect on the lives of children.

"Research found that calls to Childline - an Indian helpline for children in distress - have increased since the beginning of the pandemic and are likely even higher now. Children can really struggle with the social isolation caused by schools being closed and not being able to see their friends."

To learn more about Save the Children's work in India, visit SavetheChildren.org/India.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.