Deadly truth: COVID-19 leave thousands of children orphaned in Peru

The pandemic of 21st Century not only affected health structures, economies or social ties, but it took away the only companion children need in their life. Thousands of kids around the world are "orphaned by coronavirus,", with Peru being the most affected.

Gabriela Zarate lives with her husband and eight children in a little house on the outskirts of Lima. She has four children of her own. Katherine's children, two girls aged seven and fifteen, and two boys aged nine and twelve, are the other four.

It's difficult to fit them all in. The guys share a bunk bed with two other lads, while the girls share a small room in the back of the house. "Putting food on the table for my family has always been a problem," Gabriela explains, "and it's even more difficult now that I have four more children."

Katherine became sick in June 2020, when Peru was already fighting to contain Covid-19. Hospitals were congested, resources were running out, and relatives stood by helplessly as their loved ones died.

When doctors refused to treat Katherine, Gabriela had no choice except to bring her home. Katherine was strewn across a mattress. She was struggling to breathe, but her family lacked the financial means to provide her with oxygen. They all watched Katherine, who was 29 years old at the time, become weaker and weaker.

She died a week later.

Katherine asked Gabriela to watch after her children as one of the final things she did. Their father is in and out of their lives due to health and addiction issues. Gabriela volunteered to look after kids because Katherine did not want them to wind up in a children's home.

It hasn't been simple. They were left wondering what they would do when the government issued a stringent stay-at-home order during the pandemic's worst waves. "I used to drive a taxi and sell sweets on the streets," she says.

Her companion began delivering meals to individuals during the curfew, which was against the law. That's when he tested Covid-19 positive and couldn't work anymore. "We were terrified he would die," she continues, "but he eventually healed."

Gabriela posted a white flag outside her house to signal she needed help during the toughest moments when neither of them could go to work. Then her neighbours began bringing her bundles of potatoes and other food.

Covid-19 has killed more than 202,500 people in Peru, a country with a population of less than 33 million people. The amount of children who have been left without a mother, father, or other caregiver is one of the most terrible repercussions of the pandemic there.

According to the medical journal The Lancet, there are at least 93,000 of them. They are referred to as "Covid orphans" despite the fact that one of their parents may still be living.

Many people struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis. Financially, as well as emotionally.

Katherine's children, like many others, find discussing their mother difficult. Gabriela says her 15-year-old daughter witnessed her death and is terrified. She refuses to tell anyone what occurred.

Her sons had fond memories of her. Katherine's nine-year-old son comments, "I miss my mommy." "She would take us out on the streets and play with us."