Save the Children is deeply concerned about the growing number of children who have lost their parents to covid-19 in India. Desperate prayers to adopt orphans have circulated on social media, leaving them vulnerable to human trafficking and abuse.
It writes Save the Children in one press release.
In the press release, they urge people not to share details about orphans online, and instead contact the government helpline.
Dagbladet has previously written that the second corona wave has hit India in full. The crisis in the country continues to increase in scope, and is described as “out of control”.
The hospital capacity has been blown up, there is no oxygen, and the crematoria are full.
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Zero privacy
Dagbladet has been in contact with the managing director of Save the Children India, Sudarshan Suchi.
He says that the corona situation in the country is especially heavy for the children who have no siblings.
– When the parents are hospitalized, they are left to fend for themselves. No one takes care of them and the children have no privacy, says Suchi.
WORRIED: The CEO of Save the Children India, Sudarshan Suchi, is afraid that the corona pandemic will lead to a flare-up in human trafficking. Photo: Private
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– No formal process
In the press release, it is reproduced from a post that was shared on social media:
«2 year old girl and 2 month old boy whose parents have passed away because of Covid. These children need a home. If anyone close to you wants to adopt, please contact… »
– There is no one who conducts a proper check of the possible adoptive parents. There is no formal process as in a normal adoption, says the director.
Like the Norwegian part of the organization, he also fears that this could lead to sexual abuse.
– Everyone has access to social media. We never know who’s there.
Alarms: – We must act now
Comes with yourself
To overcome the problem, Save the Children has now begun to actively follow the records.
– If we see that someone wants to share information about the children, we get in touch and do our part to ensure that they have a safe home. We coordinate the work and try to get a collaboration with those who are unaware of the risk.
– Have you contacted the owners of the social media so that they can help you?
– It is not something we have thought about until now, but when you say it, I immediately think it is a good idea. We’ll see what we can do.
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