Pandemic makes millions of children starve and beg

Children living in poverty are the worst hit by school closures during the coronavirus crisis, UNICEF has warned. Source: AAP

SBS Greek

View Podcast Series

Get the SBS Audio app

Other ways to listen

World Vision surveyed 14,000 families in nine Asian countries and found children were being sent out to beg or do “other risky activities” to make up for their parents' lost work.

The report, Aftershocks: Out of Time, was released on Wednesday and found an estimated 85 million families across Asia had little or no food stocks and 110 million children are going hungry.

Laila, 45, can not provide food for her children after losing her job due to COVID-19.

Laila, 45, can not provide food for her children after losing her job due to COVID-19. Source: Supplied

Eight per cent of those surveyed had sent children out to beg or do what they call “other risky activities”.

Seventy per cent of participants had fully or severely lost income.

Laila worked as a maid in three houses before the pandemic. Source: Supplied

This podcast is in Greek. For more in English visit
here.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

News and information is available in 63 languages at

sbs.com.au/coronavirus