The Impact of the Covid-19 Outbreak, Tens of Thousands of Indonesian Children Become Orphans

Since entering Indonesia in 2020, the COVID-19 virus, which has become a global pandemic, has had an impact on all levels of Indonesian people. The main impact is on the Health system. WHO noted as of November 1, 2022, there were more than 600 million cases in the world with a death toll of more than 6 million cases. In Indonesia alone there are more than 6 million cases with an accumulated death case of more than 150 thousand.

Among those who died due to COVID-19, based on data obtained by the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs as of September 29, 2021, there are more than 30,000 children who have lost their parents. Those who lose their parents surely have economic difficulties due to the lack of support from their parents in their daily lives. As a result, those who have lost their parents are forced to drop out of school or even switch activities to support the family’s economy.
Assistance for Orphans Due to Covid 19.

Where are these children after being abandoned by their parents?

This is a fundamental question regarding the lives of orphans.

Do they become the responsibility of the main guardian up to the third level? Are they handed over to be cared for by foster parents? Or directly submitted to an institution/foundation/orphanage that is believed to be capable and experienced in caring for children who are in vulnerability and neglect.

However, basically they need help from other parties to be able to continue their lives, especially in fulfilling the rights of Indonesian children.

Based on data from Kemensos.go.id, the government itself has made efforts to assist orphans due to COVID-19. These efforts are in the form of support for their physical needs to the sustainability of their education.

“I make sure that orphans have received protection. They are not only given support for their physical needs, but also psychosocial support, parenting and continuing their education,” said the Minister of Social Affairs at a press conference after an event of “Submission of the Minister of Social Award for Law Enforcement Officials Who Have Actively Participated in Guarding the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs Program in Jakarta (24/08/2021).

How to Make Them Happy?

Initiator Friends, losing parents in their growing up years is definitely not easy. Therefore, we can help them and give them happiness in the following ways:

Supporting educational needs: such as paying school tuition fees and buying school supplies.

Support their daily needs: by supporting for daily needs and providing pocket money for them.

Support character & personal development: by providing opportunities for them to participate in coaching to optimize their potential.

At the end of 2022, let’s work together to fulfill the needs and rights of children. To that end, Human initiative initiated the #NyalakanHarapan Campaign which also focuses on an invitation to care and jointly assist orphans who have lost their parents due to covid 19.

Through this campaign, Human Initiative together with donors will help at least 5000 children spread across 14 points in Indonesia.

In that way, it is hoped that they can continue to dream and continue their dreams.
If you want to participate in helping orphans in Indonesia, you can visit Solusipeduli.org/nyalakanharapan. Thank you for your good initiative.