Supporting vulnerable children

“In Ethiopia, which has suffered civil war since fall 2020, about 5.2 million people need emergency assistance, 2 million have been displaced, and more than 100,000 children are at risk of dying from malnutrition.” –Council on Foreign Relations WWW.CFR.ORG

Churches are well placed to be “calling on our national governments to ensure vulnerable children receive the support they need” rather than being “left behind” in societal pandemic responses, says Thomas Schirrmacher, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance.

The alliance recently partnered with the ministry World Without Orphans (WWO) to call attention to the estimated 7 million children who have lost a parent or caregiver due to Covid-19. The number comes from a recent Lancet modelling report. Its lead author Susan Hillis has roles with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the WWO leadership team.

Local churches are positioned to respond to specific local needs, says Rebecca Goropevsek, a member of the WWO global council and co-ordinator of the World Evangelical Alliance Children’s Network.

Local leaders can raise awareness on this issue and mobilize their congregations to reach out and proactively offer help. There are many resources available online, including those offered by WWO, that equip churches, says Goropevsek.

Research suggests the greatest positive effect can be achieved by supporting extended family (especially financially) to take care of children rather than placing them in institutional care such as orphanages.