Infographic: Unmasking the Impact of COVID-19 on Asia's Most Vulnerable Children

The compounding socio-economic impact of COVID-19 over a region home to more than 30% of people living in poverty ($3.2/day), can be detrimental for Asia’s most vulnerable populations, especially children; and can exacerbate the pre-existing risks of malnutrition, abuse, poverty, abject living conditions and lack of access to essential services like sanitation and educational needs. The needs are significant.

World Vision’s Unmasking the impact of COVID-19 on Asia-Most Vulnerable Children report found that loss of livelihood is forcing parents and caregivers to take desperate measures that are negatively impacting children’s well-being. 24% of parents/caregivers have resorted to physical punishment or emotional abuse in the last month (40% for urban parents). 47% of parents/caregivers reported partially ability or completely inability to handle changes in their children’s behaviour. While 26% of children reported that caregivers had used physical or psychological punishment in the last month.

The key findings of the Rapid Recovery Assessment will enable WV programmes to better meet the needs of our most important stakeholder, the most vulnerable children, and amplify their voices, in a broader regional and global arena.