They are Our Children too

PEMERINTAH KOTA SURABAYA

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi and his wife visited a daughter who had been orphaned because her parents died due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Surabaya, East Java. In Surabaya, there are around 1,400 families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic so that children become orphans, orphans, or orphans.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not just made up of numbers and statistics. It has left deep scars on children who have lost their parents and even their futures.

Data from the national COVID-19 task force shows that, as of July 20, 11,045 children had become orphans after losing their parents to COVID-19.

According to an analysis by the Kompas Research and Development Department (Litbang), based on the mortality rate of the 31- to 45-year age group – assumed to be married with two children under the age of 18 – the majority of these orphans are found in Central Java, followed by East Java, West Java, Jakarta and East Kalimantan.

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Indonesia’s condition has caused worry globally as well. Imperial College London predicted that 38,127 Indonesian children would be orphaned by the pandemic. If this estimate comes true, the country will have the ninth-highest number of children without both parents. India is first, followed by Brazil, Mexico, the United States, South Africa, Peru, Iran and Colombia (Kompas, 23/8/2021).

However, it is not just the size of the figure we should be concerned about. The fact is, there are children, who should still be receiving the love and protection of their parents, who have suddenly lost one or both of their parents. These children lose their sense of security and their future becomes unclear. This disruption in their lives not only requires the help of relatives but also community solidarity and, of course, the help of the country.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Pilgrims pray at the cemetery tomb with the Covid-19 protocol at the Rorotan Public Cemetery, Cilincing District, North Jakarta, Tuesday (24/8/2021). Many Indonesian children have lost their parents due to Covid-19.

Law No. 35/2014 on child protection mentions children’s rights to live, grow, develop and participate in accordance with their dignity and worth, as well as to be protected from violence and discrimination. The obligation to protect children is placed on the central government, local administrations, communities and parents. In the case of poor and neglected children, the country is obliged to take them in.

Sociologically, there are many ways Indonesians have helped less fortunate children. Javanese culture, for one, uses the terms ngenger or mupu. Ngenger refers to children who are taken in by more fortunate families so that they can receive an education. In return, these children help with household chores. Mupu, on the other hand, means adoption.

However, in extraordinary situations, the country must take on a larger role.

The solidarity of the community during these times also creates gratitude for all the efforts that have been made to help children who have suddenly lost their parents. However, in extraordinary situations, the country must take on a larger role.

The World Bank report Children, The Hidden Endemic 2021, reminds the governments of every country to prevent deaths, prepare various support schemes and protect children through regular supervision. This is important because becoming an orphan can have harmful effects: misplacement, separation from siblings, domestic violence and even child marriage. These all must be prevented because they are also our children.

(This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia).