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UNICEF: One child was killed or distorted every 15 minutes in the Middle East due to conflicts

In a statement issued by the organization today, Wednesday, it was reported that reports indicate the displacement of more than 12 million children, the injury of more than 40,000 children, and the killing of nearly 20,000 children. Edward Beugeid, the UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, said: “The life of one child turns upside down at a rate of every five seconds due to the conflicts in the region.”.

He added that “Half of the 220 million children – who live in countries affected by conflicts. We cannot allow this number to rise. Ending hostilities – for children – is not an option, but rather an urgent necessity and moral commitment, which is the only way for a better future.”.

Life -threatening situations

UNICEF said nearly 110 million children in the Middle East and North Africa are living in countries affected by conflicts. She added that violence continues to disable almost every aspect of their lives, as homes, schools and health facilities are destroyed. Children are regularly exposed to situations that threaten their lives, severe distress, displacement, and are deprived of safety and often carry psychological scars that can last for life.

UNICEF estimates that 45 million children across the region will need humanitarian aid in 2025 due to the continued risk and weakness that threatens their lives, compared to 32 million children in 2020 – an increase of 41 percent in only five years.

The effect of the financing deficit

This comes at a time when UNICEF faces a major funding deficit through its operations in the Middle East and North Africa.

The organization said that the expectations remain dark given the future. By 2026, UNICEF financing in the Middle East and North Africa is expected to decrease by 20 and 25 percent, which may lead to a loss of 370 million US dollars, which exposes life -saving programs across the region, including acute malnutrition treatment, safe water production in conflict areas, and vaccinations against fatal diseases.

Beagheidy said: “With the aggravation of the children’s ordeal in the region, the resources needed to respond. The conflicts must stop. International efforts to solve these crises must be intensified. Support should be increased to children at risk, not to decline.”.

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