School closures have devastating consequences for children’s learning and wellbeing. The most vulnerable children and those unable to access remote learning are hit even harder, as they are at an increased risk of never returning to the classroom, sometimes forced into child labor and even child marriage. Schoolchildren globally also rely on their schools as a place to interact with peers, seek support, access health and immunization services, and a nutritious meals. The longer schools remain closed, the longer children are cut off from these critical elements of childhood.

With the rapid closure of schools around the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, children and young people, especially those living in crisis contexts, have lost an important space that provided them with stability, so even as the environment around them kept growing uncertain. The economic shocks caused by COVID-19 have had devastating consequences by deepening the poverty and food insecurity that many families were already facing, including those living in contexts facing pre-existing challenges. The mental health of adults and children deteriorated as they were confined to their homes; Both governmental and non-governmental agencies have reported a significant increase in violence and other threats that specifically target children and young people.