According to the UN, the effects of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine have pushed four million children in Eastern Europe and Central Asia into poverty. “Children bear the greatest burden of the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine,” the UN children’s organization UNICEF said Monday. As a result of the conflict and ensuing inflation, the number of poor children in Eastern Europe and Central Asia has increased by 19 percent within a year.
UNICEF bases its report on data from 22 countries. The consequences of the war for children in Russia and Ukraine are therefore particularly strong.
Child poverty in Russia has increased rapidly
According to the report, Russia is responsible for three-quarters of the increase in children living in poverty, where the number of poor children increased by 2.8 million as a result of the war. According to UNICEF, the number of poor children in Ukraine has increased by half a million as a result of the war. In third place is Romania, where the number of children living in poverty has increased by 110,000.
“Children across the region are being involved in the horrific consequences of this war,” said UNICEF regional director Afshan Khan. If the affected children and their families do not get help quickly, “the rapid rise in child poverty will almost certainly lead to lost lives, lost learning and lost futures”.
Violence, exploitation, abuse
UNICEF warned that the poorer a family is, the higher the share of income it has to spend on food and fuel, and the less it has on education and health care for children. Children living in poverty are also more at risk of violence, exploitation and abuse.
The UN Children’s Aid Agency warned that the rise in child poverty this year alone could lead to 4,500 additional children dying before reaching the age of one and 117,000 children dropping out of school.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
