By Missionary to Chile, Tracy Pavel
The Highest Rate of Orphaned Children in the World More info for the AuthorThe Highest Rate of Orphaned Children in the World
In a sobering statistic, one in every 100 children in Peru has lost a father, mother, or grandparent due to the direct or indirect effects of COVID-19. This stark number was discovered after The Lancet examined reports from the 21 countries that accounted for 76.4% of worldwide COVID deaths. Over 1.13 million children worldwide are now orphaned or partially orphaned due to COVID-19, with many losing their fathers.
Peru now faces the enormous challenge of mitigating the impacts of these losses on a generation that has become more vulnerable to poverty, inadequate education, and violence.
More than 240,000 Peruvian children dropped out of school in 2020, while poverty soared to 30%. Though the government has committed to giving orphaned children 200 soles (USD 50) a month, this amount is insufficient to meet their needs. There is an enormous task ahead of Peru to set interventions and safeguards in place to help and protect a generation that has suffered so much loss.
Will you pray for these Peruvian children and the many more worldwide who have lost a parent or primary caregiver? Pray, too, that Christians would be willing to meet not only these children’s physical, emotional, and financial needs, but also their much greater need for the gospel. There is an open door to point young hearts to God the Father who loves and values these children beyond their understanding. Let’s be willing to show them who He is.
About the Author
Tracy Paver is a missionary to Chile working alongside veteran church-planting missionaries Jason and Lori Holt.
