Tens of Thousands of Children Lose their Parents

Tens of thousands of children in Indonesia have lost their parents to COVID-19 during the pandemic. This phenomenon has threatened the quality and future of the nation\'s next generation.

KOMPAS/SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

Fiona Husen (13), James (11) and Charles (4), three siblings who lost both their parents at once. On June 29, 2021 his mother died after being exposed to Covid-19. Less than two weeks their father also died of Covid-19.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The COVID-19 pandemic not only poses a serious threat today, but also the future as many Indonesian children have lost their parents to the disease. The large number of transmission clusters in work places and families has caused a high mortality rate for people of productive age, leaving their children without a parent or even two parents at a young age.

The loss of fathers and mothers has caused many children, especially those who are still minors, to suffer great psychological stress. They were not ready to be separated from their parents but now have to take care of themselves and their younger siblings if they are the eldest child.