JAKARTA - Every July 23, Indonesia always commemorates National Children's Day (HAN). However, for the past two years, children in the archipelago are still shrouded in concern due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, in July 2021, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continues to soar, it is recorded that as of Sunday, July 18, new cases have increased by 44,721. Along with the increase in COVID-19 cases, the death rate has also increased. The cumulative total of COVID-19 cases found in Indonesia from March 2020 to Tuesday, July 20, amounted to 2,950,058 cases. Of these, 76,200 people died. "This number illustrates that not a few Indonesian children have lost their father or mother, and even lost both of them because they died from COVID-19," said KPAI Commissioner, Retno Listyarti, Thursday, July 22. It is only seen from the standpoint of statistical figures, but there is another human aspect that must also receive attention, namely the direct impact on the sick and their families, especially children.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a crisis over children's rights. "Children have lost their parents and caregivers due to the COVID-19 virus, making them very vulnerable and without parental care," said Retno.
Referring to the COVID-19 cases in India as of June 5, 2021 after the spike, as many as 3,632 children were orphaned because their parents died from COVID-19. Meanwhile, 26,176 children lost one of their parents.
Most of them died during the increase in cases and deaths in India from April to May 2021. Currently, it is reported that the Indian government provides a very large budget for the lives of these children.
The Indian government has announced measures to help these children. One of them is a cash assistance of 1 million rupees (equivalent to Rp. 195 million), which will be given to each child as an allowance, from 18 to 23 years old.
"The funds are provided through the PM-CARES scheme," explained Retno.
Apart from the central government, the state governments in India have also announced various initiatives to help children who have lost their parents due to the pandemic. “This COVID-19 is not just a public health issue, and it's not just about socioeconomic impacts, but it's a fundamental humanitarian issue. So we need humane treatment, based on human values and the best interests of children," said Retno.
Similar data, continued Retno, could happen to Indonesian children after the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country in the last two months. For this reason, KPAI provides several recommendations to protect Indonesian children who have lost both parents.
"Of course the state must be present, both on behalf of the central government and local governments," said Retno. First, KPAI encourages tracing and sorting of data by the central government and local governments, of the 76,200 COVID-19 patients who died as of July 20, how many people who are in productive age, how many are the breadwinners of the family, how many children do they have and how old they are.
Second, KPAI encourages a more detailed disaggregation of data regarding the number of children who have lost one or both parents.
"Mapping the domicile area of the children must be carried out so that the handling involves the local government directly, in this case it can activate the role of the local Dukcapil Service on the basis of a renewed Family Card because a family has died," explained Retno. Third, KPAI encourages local governments to ensure fulfillment of the rights of children who have lost their parents. Such as the fulfillment of the continuity of the right to education, care by the closest family, health, and so on.
This handling, he said, would require the presence of the state as well as support from the state budget and regional budgets for the survival and future of underage children.
"Care for children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19, it must be ensured that the care is carried out by their relatives/big families. Orphanages should be the last option," said Retno.
Fourth, KPAI encourages public awareness through mass media and social media campaigns related to the legal process in terms of adoption. Possibly, according to Retno, as with the impact of natural disasters, there are often requests to adopt orphans circulating on social media.
"This makes children vulnerable to trafficking and child abuse. In addition, many children also need counseling to deal with their grief and trauma," he explained. Fifth, KPAI is pushing for tightening social restrictions as cases continue to increase. Cases have increased many times, so social restrictions must also be stricter.