UNICEF warns of 'lost generation' after pandemic
In a new report ahead of World Children's Day, UNICEF warned the pandemic may create a "lost generation."
Calling the situation "increasingly alarming," UNICEF wrote about the impact on children around the world, including disruptions to health care, nutrition, child protection and education. School closures at their peak have affected 90% of the world's students.
"The impact of the pandemic will affect children’s lives for years to come, even if a breakthrough vaccine becomes available soon," the report said. "How the world responds now to the myriad risks that the pandemic poses to children and adolescents will determine their future. Unless the global community urgently changes priorities, the potential of this generation of young people may well be lost."
UNICEF warned, "Around 2 million additional child deaths under age 5 and 200,000 additional stillbirths could occur over a 12-month period with worst-case interruptions to services and rising malnutrition."
ABC News' Brian Hartman and Kirit Radia contributed to this report.