At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres warned Tuesday that the world faces a “generational catastrophe” because of school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Secretary-General António Guterres: “In mid-July, schools were closed in more than 160 countries, affecting over 1 billion students. At least 40 million children worldwide have missed out on education in their critical preschool year. And parents, especially women, have been forced to assume heavy care burdens in the home.”

Guterres called on countries to bring COVID-19 under control as quickly as possible so that schools can reopen safely.