UNICEF denounces a 19% rise in poverty rates from 2021 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that child poverty has increased by 19% in Eastern Europe and Central Asia since 2021; that is, four million more children in the last twelve months, mainly due to the war in Ukraine and the increase in inflation.
In a report published Monday on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, it warns of a “domino effect” caused by poverty, usually leading to “a sharp increase in early school leaving and child mortality”.
The document, which collects data from twenty-two countries in the region, puts children in the spotlight of the economic crisis caused by the conflict. While children make up 25% of the total population, they represent nearly 40% of the additional 10.4 million people living in poverty this year.
In terms of countries, Russia is responsible for almost three quarters of the total increase in the number of children living in poverty due to the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the cost of living in the region. households below the poverty line.
In Ukraine, the UN fund points out, half a million more children now live in poverty, the second largest increase, followed by Romania, with 110,000 more children in poverty.
UNICEF Director-General for Europe and Central Asia, Afshan Khan, laments that “beyond the obvious horrors of war, such as the murder and mutilation of children, or mass displacement, the consequences of the war in Ukraine a devastating impact on children in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
“Children across the region,” he adds, “are being wiped out in the horrific aftermath of war” and if left unchecked, “the sharp rise in child poverty will lead to the loss of lives, learning and future.” ».
This increase, UNICEF warns, means that 4,500 children could die before their first birthday this year alone, and that 117,000 children could drop out of school this year alone, according to the study.
Moreover, this is a very protracted crisis. One in three children born and raised in poverty, UNICEF emphasizes, will live in the same situation as adults, leading to an intergenerational cycle of difficulties and hardships.
The report recommends a range of solutions to try and reduce this growth as much as possible, starting with providing a “general monetary benefit” and increasing social aid.
Similarly, UNICEF is calling for the protection of social spending and the provision of health, nutrition and social care services to pregnant women, babies and young children.
“Austrian austerity measures will hurt children the most, push them even more into poverty and make it harder for families already affected,” Khan added. “We need to protect and expand social support for vulnerable families before the situation gets worse.”
In Spain, where one in three children is at risk of poverty or social exclusion (33.4% of the AROPE rate, 2.8 million boys and girls), the impact of the rise in food prices and basic services has added an extra dimension. effect in households with boys and girls, where food and transport costs are significantly higher compared to other types of households.
In houses with fewer resources, this may mean that you have to choose between having enough food or keeping the house warm this winter.
Unicef Spain, together with other children’s organizations such as the Childhood Platform and Save the Children, is arguing for the inclusion in the General State Budgets (PGE) 2023 of a universal child-rearing benefit, in the form of a refundable tax deduction, much more ambitious than the measure extending the maternity benefit (from 0 to 3 years) included in the budgets.
These benefits, in addition to supporting parenthood, would have a significant impact on reducing child poverty and guaranteeing social protection for all households with children in the face of this and successive crises. Likewise, the current situation urges that the state action plan adopted this summer for the implementation of the European Child Guarantee should be resolutely launched.
Source: La Verdad
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