The Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to child protection services in more than 100 countries, leaving a large number of children at increased risk of violence, exploitation and abuse, said a global survey by UNICEF on Wednesday. Of 136 countries that responded to the agency's "Socio-Economic Impact Survey of Covid-19 Response", 104 countries reported a disruption in services related to violence against children. Around two-thirds of countries reported that at least one service had been severely affected, including South Africa, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan, according to an IANS report.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to child protection services in more than 100 countries, leaving a large number of children at increased risk of violence, exploitation and abuse, said a global survey by UNICEF on Wednesday. Of 136 countries that responded to the agency's "Socio-Economic Impact Survey of Covid-19 Response", 104 countries reported a disruption in services related to violence against children. Around two-thirds of countries reported that at least one service had been severely affected, including South Africa, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan, according to an IANS report.