biological children’s human capital. In the case of grandparents becoming the caregivers of orphans, they may have fewer financial resources to support their grandchildren.<sup>**7**</sup> Longitudinal case-studies from countries with high orphan prevalence (Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania, among others) reveal large negative impacts of orphanhood on health and education outcomes, especially for orphans who have lost their mother.<sup>**5**,</sup><sup>**6**,</sup><sup>**31**,</sup><sup>**32**,</sup><sup>**33**</sup> Evidence from Senegal also suggests that fostered children are more likely to be involved in domestic work or the labor market during school age.<sup>**23**</sup> While extended family networks seem capable of absorbing large numbers of orphans, the ability of communities to meet rapidly growing fostering demands may indicate a dilution in the quality of the fostering arrangements.<sup>**22**</sup> If orphaned children are increasingly living in households that are less willing or able to invest in their human capital, this may have major long-run implications for the children’s human development. Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa shows a trend towards non-traditional and usually poorer-quality fostering relationships in areas with high numbers of HIV/AIDS orphans.<sup>**34**,</sup><sup>**35**,</sup><sup>**36**</sup> In many countries across the region there has been a shift towards grandparents taking on increasing responsibility in caring for orphans and away from younger relatives and non-relatives, especially in countries where the orphan rate has increased rapidly. Orphans living with a grandparent are substantially more likely to live in a poor household.<sup>**7**</sup> Every child who loses a parent faces a tragedy. However, the current Ebola epidemic is unlikely to increase orphan numbers beyond the capacity of extended family networks to absorb them. The pressure of increased orphan numbers may lower the quality of care that these family networks are able to provide, however. Rather than creating new institutions to deal with increased numbers of orphans, governments and nongovernment organizations alike can provide material support to family networks to improve their capacity to provide high quality care. Beyond monetary resources, caregivers can receive training on how to care for a potential Ebola patient safely and to seek medical care quickly if the child develops early signs of infection, as well as help in accessing schools, and counseling to support their emotional well-being, as well as that of the orphans.<sup>**10**,</sup><sup>**26**</sup> Formal reintegration programs can target worries about communities potentially turning Ebola orphans away because of concerns regarding Ebola transmission risks. Such programs can provide continued education, dispelling rumors regarding Ebola orphans and providing a first step in the necessary psychosocial support for survivors. Children and the families looking after them are given cash and material assistance. Following up with children who are in new families is an important focus, as the children may be emotionally vulnerable as they grieve the loss of loved ones.

At the same time, many non-orphan children are experiencing significant economic shocks due to the Ebola crisis,<sup>**37**</sup> and economic differences can dwarf the differences between orphans and non-orphans.<sup>**38**</sup> Thus, while we must be mindful of the support needed by orphans and those who care for them, broader attention to the needs of all vulnerable children in the wake of the Ebola crisis will be equally important for the longterm health and welfare of the affected countries.

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