COVID-19: Are street children safe?

HEALTH  VIRUS

KAMPALA - It was common to find groups of street children sitting on verandahs around most parts of the city waiting for traffic to stop vehicles and they start begging. Some just stay around looking at passers-by hoping that they will give them something to eat.

For some, they survive through searching in garbage bins for food while others survive by pick-pocketing unsuspecting persons. Some trade in illegal drugs and steal valuables from people's houses; among other life-threatening means.

However, with the country now having Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person through sneezing and coughing droplets, several measures were taken by the government to avoid the spread.

This has affected many Ugandans irrespective of their status or races. As the public continues to cry over the effects of the lockdown, New Vision took a stroll to find out how street children are coping with the current situation.

Moving on the streets of Kampala, one would wonder whether the city has ever had any street child. No child is spotted on the verandas, streets, garbage bins or anywhere around the malls. 

However, after proceeding to some of their hideouts, many are seen stranded wondering how they will survive the following day. 

Efforts to speak to them almost seemed futile, however as we tried to leave the place, two accepted to speak but with the promise that their names will be withheld.

 
23-year-old, James not real names, revealed that life in the lockdown is not easy because they have nowhere to go. 

According to James, besides being afraid of starving, they are worried about the COVID-19.

"We do not know where we shall get the water, soap and sanitizers to wash our hands. The government should send these things to us on the streets because we do not know where to get them," he said.

A survey conducted in the districts of Kampala, Jinja, Iganga and Mbale indicated that there are over 30, 000 street children. The survey further indicated that in Kampala alone, there are 15, 000 street children.

13-year-old Grace, not real names also wonders how she is going to go through this process. Grace says, she left home when she was 9 years old after being mistreated by her mother. 

Grace who is from Bushenyi says "I cannot go back home because she fears being mistreated."

However, with COVID-19 in Uganda, she is worried about what will happen to her. "We have no clean water and money to buy soap or sanitizers. KCCA should come and help us because we have nowhere to go. We are even crowded in areas where we sleep," she worried.

Efforts to reach where they sleep were fruitless. Some of them turned rude and some accused us of being spies.

Innocent Byaruhanga, the Director for Save Street Children Uganda (SASCU) says the COVID-19 pandemic not only affects those living a good life but also vulnerable persons such as street children.

According to Byaruhanga, street children move from one place to another hence having more chances of getting infected with the pandemic.

 "They cannot access basic health services because they are looked at as outcasts.  Imagine if one got infected with COVID-19 where would they go. They have no means of communication, no identifications, no mean of transport among others. This means they will be stranded hence risk spreading the disease," he said.

He added that they also lack access to clean water, soap, sanitizers among others. This means even if one of them got in contact with an infected person, it will be easy for them to transfer to others.

Pascal Lutaaya, the director Mengo Youth Development Link, called upon the government to remember its responsibility and ensure that street children to have access to different means that will help them fight the spread of COVID-19 amongst them

"These children must be protected such that they don't also spread the virus. They should be given free food, medication, protection gears or be provided with sanitation facilities. The government should relocate these children to designated places such as schools, remand homes among others where they can monitor them such that they do not become carriers of the virus," he said.

Fred Ngabirano, Commissioner in Charge of Children's Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development says street children are in the ministry's emergency plan which he was not ready to talk about before it is approved by the government.

According to Ngabirano, they are going to work with partners to ensure that street children are safe and get access to the services they need.

Peter Kaujju, the Director of Public and Corporate Affairs for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) said they have plans to give street children relief support.

According to Kaujju, the children will be met in several areas where they stay. "Mapping is being finalised so the distribution of food will start Saturday," he said.