Children, particularly those living in the most vulnerable rural and urban areas are at increased risk of both physical and mental health challenges due to social and economic disruptions caused by immediate effects of COVID-19, says World Vision.
Almost 90 days after government declared a national lockdown that has seen a shutdown of economic activities, about 95% households’ income in the country have been impacted with an estimated 78.3% households’ income decreased due to close of business/daily work, according to a new Rapid Impact Assessment report released by World Vision Bangladesh today.
In Bangladesh, children account for about 45% of the national population and of these 46% live absolute poor with one-quarter living in extreme poverty. “We are worried about these children especially those below the age of 5 who are greater risk of preventable infections such as malnutrition that may increase infant mortality in the country, says Interim National Director Chandan Gomes.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of children who have become extremely vulnerable to diseases such as malnutrition due to reduced food stocks in almost all our operational areas located in 26 districts and 57 sub-districts.
The report shows that 94.7% households have no or very limited food stock while38.5% of children and 58.9% of adults in the study areas reported having a maximum of two meals per day. A further 58% of households are passing days with less number of meals.”
The report also shows that almost 34% households do not have safe and clean water for drinking, cooking and cleaning with another 50% households not abiding to hygiene practices such as handwashing with soap due to lack of access and availability of hygiene kits and inadequate water sources.
“I’m worried about the 87% of children who reporting feeling isolated at home and an additional 91.5% who are worried about COVID-19.
We need immediate attention to address issues affecting children during this time and ensure that access and availability to products and services needed to adequately address their concerns, including the children living in the Rohingya camp andthe host communities in southern Bangladesh.” The study covered 52 Upazilas, 8 divisions and 1616 children aged between 12-18. A total of 2671 adults participated.