Over 1.7 mln children in Ukraine face ‘extremely serious’ situation: UNICEF

Over 1.7 mln children in Ukraine face ‘extremely serious’ situation: UNICEF

PanARMENIAN.Net - More than 1.7 million children in conflict-torn areas of eastern Ukraine face an "extremely serious" situation, the UN children's agency has warned, with their suffering exacerbated by harsh winter weather, CNN reports.

Many families have been forced from their homes and lack access to safe water, sanitation and schooling.

"Children continue to bear the brunt of this conflict, with schooling disrupted and access to basic services limited," said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF regional director for Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

She called for extra resources to be provided to those in need.

"Extremely harsh winter conditions have made the impact of the crisis more acute," she said.

According to a UNICEF press release, 147 schools have been closed in parts of the Donetsk region where fighting is ongoing, disrupting the education of about 50,000 children since Sept 1. While some schools are in ruins, others are closed because of safety concerns.

In government-controlled areas, 187 educational institutions in total have been damaged or destroyed, UNICEF said.

The closures mean that besides lessons, children are missing out on the stability and routine that can be provided by school at a time of crisis, helping to alleviate their stress, the agency said.

It's not just those still living in conflict areas who are affected. Since March, more than 1 million people have been displaced by the fighting, including nearly 530,000 within Ukraine. Of those, at least 130,000 are children, according to UNICEF. In many cases they are not attending a new school because their parents have not registered them, anticipating further displacement or planning to return home.

UNICEF says it needs $32.4 million to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of 600,000 children and their families in Ukraine.

The funds would help provide access to schooling; enable support to reduce children's high levels of stress; pay for polio vaccines; and ensure 250,000 children and women get safe water and hygiene supplies to prevent outbreaks of disease.

The agency has received $9.4 million in funding and pledges to date.

Amid the fighting, at least 44 children have been killed in Ukraine this year, according to the agency.

 Top stories
Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive.
In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million).
The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".
The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.
Partner news
---