The deadly pandemic has thrown up the daunting challenge of ensuring the safety of orphaned children and the protection of their rights and inheritances. Under the watch of the state government authorities, seven children across Himachal Pradesh whose parents succumbed to Covid recently are in the foster care of their relatives. The caregivers are entitled to an assistance of Rs 2,500 per month till the child turns 18. Faridkot has formed a panel that will keep in touch with hospitals and child welfare committees to ensure that Covid-orphaned kids are rehabilitated. Delhi has announced free education for such children. These and other measures like initiating legal adoption processes to take charge of the growing numbers of vulnerable children rendered bereft of parents are important shields to save them from possible abuse. Such steps have an important common factor: that of identifying the orphans — one that our system is sadly deficient in. When duly followed up with the necessary support as also a continued watch on their welfare, the child’s umbrella of shelter is secured.

Such steps must be amplified across the country. Active governance is needed so that no child suffers for want of timely care. Past earthquakes, cyclones and other disasters offer ample proof of the lurking dangers and vulnerabilities that these unfortunate kids are exposed to. They are easy prey for child-trafficking, sexual abuse, child labour, denial of education, child marriage, manipulation, property usurpation et al. They may be emotionally and mentally scarred or burdened with the task of looking after younger siblings.

Warning against a potential spurt in such tragic crimes, the Union government has said all cases of children left without guardians must be routed through the government authorities. In this context, spreading messages and appeals for adoption on social media is illegal as it attracts child traffickers and racketeers. The mandate to have a column on children and their custodians (in case of a tragedy) in hospital forms while admitting Covid patients is a necessary first step.