Faith leaders from all religions came together to appeal for care and protection of children affected by COVID. During a Faith Leaders’ meet organized jointly by Department of Women and Child Development and UNICEF, the leaders said that the children who have lost one or both parents to COVID19 need our care and protection and we must discharge our responsibility towards them. The faith leaders also stressed on the need to protect the children from being exploited as child labour.

Ruth Leano, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Uttar Pradesh said, “The COVID 19 pandemic has affected children’s education, health and nutrition. Children who have lost one or both parents during the pandemic are very vulnerable and need care and protection”. She also requested faith leaders to promote vaccination so that every person eligible for vaccination gets protection against COVID19 and the pandemic ends without more loss of life or livelihood.

Manoj Kumar Rai, Director Department of Women Welfare Government of Uttar Pradesh said, “The government has launched Mukhyamantri Bal Suraksha Yojna in the state for children who have lost their parents during the pandemic. The department is busy identifying children in need of care and protection and we urge people to immediately inform the Childline 1098 or Women Helpline 181 if they come across any such child. Till now nearly 3000 children who have lost either one or both parents have been identified in the state”.

Mahant Devyagiri from Mankameshwar Math said, “The pandemic has left everyone shaken and broken. People have lost their near ones. It is our duty as responsible citizens to ensure safety of every child who has lost parents during the pandemic. We should play an active role in linking every child to government schemes”.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, Shahi Imam Aishbagh Eidgah said, “Every religion teaches us to help the needy. Today when children are affected, we must all act responsibly. Bringing the smiles back on each of these affected children and ensuring their future is our true religion”. He also stressed on the need for faith leaders and authorities to come together to end child labour.

Sharing the initiatives taken by the Sikh community during the pandemic, Sant Baba Pritam Singh from Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal Agra said, “Sikhism teaches us to love everyone. This is the time to show love and compassion towards every child.” He explained how the Gurudwaras arranged food and oxygen langar during the pandemic to help people.
Father Varghese Kunnath, Regional Director, Interfaith Dialogue and PRO of Archdiocese of Agra said, “Children are gift of God. Today our children need help and thus we must come forward to offer them support”.

An open session as also organized during the meet which was moderated by Amit Mehrotra, Programme Manager, UNICEF who appreciated and thanked the faith leaders who have played a key role by breaking the myths and promoting COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) during the pandemic.

Nearly 800 Faith leaders from across 75 Districts of Uttar Pradesh participated in the meet.

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