By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
A Non-Governmental Organization, “Foundation for the Protection of Women and Children” has cautioned that there are millions children at risk of becoming orphans if nothing is done by world leaders in tackling all forms of insecurity challenges bordering peace and stability in the region.
The Founder, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Ramatu who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Kaduna in commemoration of the World International Orphans Day on Monday added that majority of the world’s orphans live in poor communities, where lack of opportunities creates instability, war, disease and family breakdown.
Such challenges, she said, include terrorism, tribal war, ethno-religious, political clashes, farmers and herdsmen conflicts which contribute in turning more women to widows and children becoming orphans.
According to her, the world has become full of orphaned children and called for peace and stability in Africa as a panacea to orphans while tasking parents to adopt orphan children reduce their number on the continent.
“The world is full of orphaned children, but there are millions more at risk of becoming orphans in the future and majority of the world’s orphans live in poor communities, where lack of opportunities creates instability, war, disease and family breakdown”.
“African Union, United Nations, all Humanitarian organizations, peace mediators, Religious organizations, traditional leaders, civil societies and youth organizations across the continent should join hands together in tackling all forms of insecurity challenges bordering peace and stability in the region” she said.
The Activist continue to mentioned that throughout the world, the orphan crisis affects children in many ways that have a direct physical impact on their lives, while the medical challenges facing children who have been orphaned are malnutrition, parasitic infections, and HIV/AIDS.
Hajiya Ramatu said additionally, children who fall outside the advocacy of a family are often negatively impacted in regards to medical care while those who experienced early attachment injuries developmental delays, struggle with a failure to thrive, and challenges.
The Founder affirmed that majority of African orphanages, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa appeared to be funded by donors, volunteer individuals, Groups, rather than by domestic governments.
She called on philanthropists, corporate bodies and governments to remember the celebration of the World International Orphans Day with Internally displaced children IDPs kids, destitute children to show them love and care.
She suggested many ways of identifying with orphans such as donating food, toys, clothes, educational materials, assurance of legal support, tips for life and health skills, visit orphanage homes and deliver an inspiring speech, spending quality time and apprenticeship materials to make them skilled.
