BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The peer-reviewed medical journal, The Lancet, released a report on the impact of children who had lost a parent or caretaker due to COVID-19. The study revealed that 5.2 million children have been orphaned since the start of the pandemic, with 3 out of 4 of them having lost a father, specifically.
“Our hearts grieve to know that every six seconds, another child is in an even more vulnerable state. This is a pivotal moment in history that can truly impact the future of our entire world. These children need us, these communities need us, and at Lifeline Children’s Services we want to equip the local church both domestically and internationally to care for these children and families,” said Lifeline President and Executive Director Herbie Newell. “We have seen that, statistically, orphaned children face a higher rate of exploitation, poverty, abuse and trauma. We want to work with our partners to help educate and prepare families for supporting and protecting these children.”
The recent study revealed that the best way society can provide this support is by following the “Three Ps” — Prevent COVID-19 deaths of caregivers, prepare family-based support, and protect children and their families from poverty, adversity and violence.
Lifeline Children’s Services is the largest Evangelical Christian adoption agency in America, with offices in 16 states. It serves vulnerable children and families through private domestic and international adoption, family restoration, and pregnancy counseling.
While Lifeline is not affiliated with any denomination, it was created to support pregnancy counseling and adoption work in 1981 by Briarwood Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Alabama. Lifeline’s headquarters remain in Birmingham. In 2000, Lifeline expanded its ministry to international adoption, starting in China. Each year, additional countries have been added, and now Lifeline is presently involved in 18 countries.
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