Africa among hardest hit as Mideast tensions threaten to push more children into poverty

Up to 23.4 million additional children could fall into poverty by the end of the year as a result of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with Asia and Africa expected to be the hardest hit, according to a new report by the United Nations Children's Fund or UNICEF.

Asia and the Pacific is projected to record the largest absolute increase in child poverty, with 8.1 million additional children living in poor households under the adverse scenario and 9.9 million under the severe scenario. Africa follows, with an estimated 6.5 million additional children falling into poverty under the adverse scenario and 8.8 million under the severe scenario.

The report attributes the disproportionate impact on the two regions to their already high baseline poverty rates and heightened vulnerability to external economic shocks.

"Children, including children far beyond the region, are paying the price for the escalating conflict in the Middle East," Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director, said.

"The longer this continues, the worse the consequences will be. Rapidly rising costs are making food and education unaffordable for many families. For children already living in poverty, these shocks deepen deprivation and can cause harm that lasts a lifetime."

UNICEF urged national governments to ensure continued support for children and families, by fully funding cash assistance programs and ensuring aid reaches those most in need before fuel or food subsidies are removed. It also called for the establishment of child-focused preparedness systems to help countries respond to future shocks.

The agency further urged donor governments to provide rapid, flexible and low-cost financing to the countries facing the greatest fiscal pressure from this crisis, particularly those already spending more on debt servicing than on essential services for children.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn