At least 577 children across India are orphaned after the death of their parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic from April 1, till date, the Federal Government said on Wednesday.
“Government of India is committed to supporting and protecting every vulnerable child due to loss of both parents to COVID-19 from April 1, till date.
“The state governments across the country have reported 577 children whose parents succumbed to COVID-19,’’ Federal Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani wrote on social media Tuesday night.
Earlier this month Irani urged citizens to report instances of children found to be orphaned by COVID-19 to either the helpline or child welfare committees or the local police.
“It is illegal to give or take orphan of anyone else in adoption. Such children should be taken to child welfare committee, which will take necessary action in the best interest of the child,’’ the minister said.
The minister also urged people not to share pictures or contact details of the orphaned children. India has been hit by a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections.
The federal health ministry on Wednesday said 208,921 new cases and 4,157 related deaths were registered in the past 24 hours across the country.
India is the second worst-hit country due to COVID-19. The country so far has recorded 27,157,795 cases and 311,388 related deaths.
