Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Children

With 99 percent of the world’s children living with some form of pandemic-related movement restrictions and 60 percent in countries with full or partial lockdowns, children are at risk of becoming the hidden victims of COVID-19. This policy brief from the United Nations Sustainable Development Group explores how the pandemic is impacting children around the world, with three clear calls to action:

• Rebalance interventions to minimize the impact of physical distancing and lockdown on children in low-income communities
• Prioritize the continuity and equity of child-centered services
• Support parents and caregivers, including tools to support mental health and learning