Displaced children in M.East stressed over COVID-19

By Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - Besides its physiological effects, the novel coronavirus virus pandemic also preceded an increase in stress levels among displaced refugee children in the Middle East, a Norwegian NGO said Tuesday.

According to the report published by the Norwegian Refugee Council, displaced children in the region have become 45% more stressed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, while 88% of displaced and refugee children in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Jordan reported being under stress due to COVID-19, 75% said they were afraid of catching the disease.

"Displaced children in Yemen reported the highest figure of increase in stress levels compared to the pre-pandemic levels, with a rise of 65 per cent," said NRC.

"The pandemic is also forcing most children to look after younger siblings, taking on adult responsibilities that are denying them of their childhood. When asked how they were spending their time, the highest number of children, at 42 per cent, said they were looking after their brothers and sisters," it added.

"Children who have previously experienced traumatic events are more vulnerable to new stress. The new Covid situation can resemble the previous traumatic experiences. It's the feelings of threat to life, possible severe health issues and death and destruction," said Jon-Hakon Schultz, an educational psychologist from the Arctic University of Norway.

"And these feelings are the same as they experienced during bombings; during the escape; during the war days. If we cannot get these children back to school, they will suffer for the rest of their lives," he added.