While children have been the least affected primarily, they have been categorised as being the most affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to the United Nations Children International Educational Fund (UNICEF), the continent will lose many of its children over the coming months if something is not done to curb the secondary effects of the pandemic.
“Many African children are going to die; not because they are infected by COVID-19 but because they are affected.
“This is about immunisation and other nutrition programmes and essential services. These deaths will arise because parents will be unable to buy the foods they need for their children.
“Whenever UNICEF talks about big numbers, there are actual faces behind those numbers.”
Elders pointed this out via a viral video from the United Nation’s organisation which caters for children.
In the video, a Kenyan mother narrates how things have become tough, because she has more mouths to feed and the children do not engage in outdoor activities anymore.
“Many of the children are due for vaccination but, now, the routine is broken and they cannot get those vaccines. Also, we lack food. The vaccinations have been cancelled because of the situation. When the children are sick, getting them to the hospital is expensive. Also, when they get there, we are worried that because of the situation, they can become sick.”
Elders called on donors and governments to help out, so as to “get money into the hands of indigent people to, at least, help them get the food they need, if the vaccines are not available right now. Anyway we look at this,” he said “lots of children on the continent are at risk.”
