{"id":2020,"date":"2022-08-26T15:13:01","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T15:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/sri-lanka-devastating-crisis-for-children-a-cautionary-tale-for-south-asia\/"},"modified":"2022-08-26T15:13:01","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T15:13:01","slug":"sri-lanka-devastating-crisis-for-children-a-cautionary-tale-for-south-asia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=2020","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka: Devastating crisis for children, a \u2018cautionary tale\u2019 for South Asia\u00a0 |"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The alert from the UN Children\u2019s Fund, comes as Sri Lanka continues to suffer its worst financial slump since independence in 1948.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mr. Laryea-Adjei reports that, \u201cfamilies are skipping regular meals as staple foods become unaffordable. Children are going to bed hungry, unsure of where their next meal will come from.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mass food insecurity will only further promote malnutrition, poverty, disease and death in the region, he added.<\/p>\n

Nascent food insecurity has compounded the social issues already plaguing the nation. The UN estimates that half of children in Sri Lanka already require some form of emergency assistance.<\/p>\n

Education, one sector slammed by the economic crisis, has seen decreased student enrollment and a deficit in resources, in addition to commutes made dangerous by outdated infrastructure.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAs the economic crisis continues to rattle Sri Lanka, it is the poorest, most vulnerable girls and boys who are paying the steepest price.”@g_laryeaadjei<\/a> calls for urgent funds, as we scale up our response.https:\/\/t.co\/9HQJqtEwGa<\/p>\n

\u2014 UNICEF (@UNICEF) August 26, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Increase in abuse<\/h2>\n

Mr. Laryea-Adjei further revealed that, \u201creports are already emerging of an increase in abuse, exploitation and violence against children due to the mounting economic pressure.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Similarly, in Sri Lanka, there are already over 10,000 children in institutional care, mainly as a result of poverty. These institutions do not provide the key familial support that is essential for childhood development.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the current crisis is pushing more and more families to place their children in institutions, as they are no longer able to care for them.<\/p>\n

Progress \u2018erased permanently\u2019<\/h2>\n

\u201cIf the current trend continues, hard-earned progress for children in Sri Lanka is at risk of being reversed and in some cases, erased permanently,\u201d Mr. Laryea-Adjei said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UNICEF has been active in Sri Lanka for over 50 years. With the support of global partners, UNICEF has distributed education supplies, provided meals to pre-school children and badly needed cash transfers to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.<\/p>\n

However, the current economic crisis has revealed the vulnerability at heart of Sri Lankan social infrastructure, he noted.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 UNICEF\/Chameera Laknath<\/span><\/p>\n

George Laryea-Adjei, Regional Director for South Asia (right) visits the home of a family in Watawala, Sri Lanka.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Solutions for children<\/h2>\n

In reflecting further on the steps UNICEF should take to help Sri Lankan children affected by the economic crisis, Mr. Laryea-Adjei said, \u201cchildren need to be placed squarely at the heart of the solution as the country works to resolve the crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cContinuity of learning must be ensured for girls and boys of all ages, so they can prepare for their future and are shielded from the threats of child labour, exploitation and gender-based violence. Central and primary health services must be prioritized, to protect women and children against life-threatening diseases and malnutrition.\u201d<\/p>\n

If actions are not immediately taken to protect children against the worst effects of the global economic downturn, vulnerable children will be plunged further into poverty – and their health, nutrition, learning and safety compromised.<\/p>\n

It therefore should be a priority of the international community to invest in the resilience of local communities as a bulwark against crisis. UNICEF said that Sri Lanka\u2019s emergency is a warning to other South Asian countries of the risk of not preparing for economic hardship.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mr. Laryea-Adjei concluded, \u201cwe cannot let children pay the price for crises not of their making. We must act today to secure their futures tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n