More than 100 million children in South Asia could slip into poverty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a UN report said Tuesday of the long-term impact of the crisis. Cases across the densely populated region — home to almost a quarter of the world’s population — have risen in recent weeks even as the region lifts its lockdown to revive economies badly shattered by the virus. “While they may be less susceptible to the virus itself, children are being profoundly affected by the fallout, including the economic and social consequences of the lockdown,” the report by the UN children’s agency UNICEF said. South Asia — which includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan — is home to some 600 million children, with around 240 million already living in poverty, the agency said. In a worst-case scenario, the virus could push another 120 million into poverty and food insecurity within six months, it warned.
Virus pushing millions of South Asia children into poverty, says UN
More than 100 million children in South Asia could slip into poverty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a UN report said Tuesday of the long-term impact of the crisis. Cases across the densely populated region — home to almost a quarter of the world’s population — have risen in recent weeks even as […]
