GENEVA,- UNICEF is launching a US$3.1 billion appeal – its largest ever – to reach 62 million children at risk in humanitarian crises worldwide – a US$1 billion jump in funding needs since last year’s appeal.
“From deadly natural disasters to brutal conflicts and fast-spreading epidemics, children across the world are facing a new generation of humanitarian crises,” said Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s Director of Emergency Programmes. “Whether in the headlines or hidden from view, emergencies sparked by social fracture, climate change and disease are stalking children in ways we have never seen before.”
Growing numbers of children are facing increasingly complex and destructive conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies, including the Ebola epidemic, which are placing them in extraordinary danger of violence, hunger, disease and abuse – and require increasingly more resources to address.
More than 1 in 10 of the world’s children – or 230 million – currently live in countries and areas affected by armed conflicts alone.
“I have just returned from Syria and Lebanon where millions of children have had their lives torn apart,” said Afshan Khan. “For the past four years, these children have been witnessing violence and death daily and have been missing out on the very basics in life. This appeal will help secure a future for not only the children of Syria but all children around the world who are impacted by humanitarian crises.”
UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children 2015 appeal targets a total of 98 million people, around two thirds of whom are children, in 71 countries.
• The biggest portion of the appeal is for Syria and the sub-region. UNICEF is calling for US$903 million for the
regional response to protect children at risk and deliver life-saving assistance like immunisations, safe water and
sanitation, and education.
• UNICEF is also appealing for US$500 million to accelerate its work in the heart of Ebola-affected communities.
The money will be used to scale up efforts to rapidly isolate and treat every case, prevent further outbreaks,
and continue to promote healthy behaviours to prevent the spread of the disease. The goal for 2015 is to
get to zero cases and support the revitalisation of basic social services.
• In Nigeria, where attacks by armed groups have escalated in the past year causing more than 1 million people
in the northeast to flee their homes, UNICEF is asking for $US26.5 million.
• A year into the conflict in Ukraine, UNICEF is appealing for US$32.45 million as the country faces a humanitarian
crisis with 5.2 million people living in conflict zones, over 600,000 people internally displaced and some 1.7 million
children affected.
The appeal also includes hugely under-funded and forgotten crises where children are in desperate need – including Afghanistan (35 per cent funded in 2014), the State of Palestine (23 per cent funded in 2014) and Niger (35 per cent funded in 2014).
As well as immediate humanitarian response, funds raised will help UNICEF in its work with partner organisations to prepare countries for future disasters by reinforcing national preparedness systems and equipping communities to help themselves.
“This appeal will reach the most vulnerable children, wherever they are,” said Khan. “Where a child is born should not determine his or her destiny. We must get vital services and care to children in acute need now, to provide the building blocks that will allow them to create peaceful futures. This is not just about immediate humanitarian action as these short-term investments will have long-term gains.”
In 2014, UNICEF reached millions of children with humanitarian support – including vaccinating 16 million children against measles, treating 1.8 million children for the most serious form of malnutrition, providing almost 2 million children with psychological support and providing 13 million people with access to safe water. 2 million children were also given a better education – a crucial part of UNICEF’s emergency response as it helps restore children’s routine and gives them hope for the future.
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The full Humanitarian Action for Children 2015 appeal and related country information can be found here from 09:30 GMT on 29th January 2015: www.unicef.org/appeals
Video and photos are available for download here: http://uni.cf/1zwEJ4M
Notes to Editors
The 71 countries and areas featured in the Humanitarian Action for Children 2015 appeal are highlighted due to the scale of these crises, the urgency of their impact on children and women, the complexity of the response, and the capacity to respond.
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org
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May 6th, 2015 at 10:33 pm
“From deadly natural disasters to brutal conflicts and fast-spreading epidemics, children across the world are facing a new generation of humanitarian crises,” said Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s Director of Emergency Programmes. “Whether in the headlines or hidden from view, emergencies sparked by social fracture, climate change and disease are stalking children in ways we have never seen before.”
Growing numbers of children are facing increasingly complex and destructive conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies, including the Ebola epidemic, which are placing them in extraordinary danger of violence, hunger, disease and abuse – and require increasingly more resources to address.The goal for 2015 is to
get to zero cases and support the revitalisation of basic social services.The appeal also includes hugely under-funded and forgotten crises where children are in desperate need – including Afghanistan (35 per cent funded in 2014), the State of Palestine (23 per cent funded in 2014) and Niger (35 per cent funded in 2014).“Where a child is born should not determine his or her destiny. We must get vital services and care to children in acute need now, to provide the building blocks that will allow them to create peaceful futures. This is not just about immediate humanitarian action as these short-term investments will have long-term gains.” serving those whom is not fully able to speak out for themselves is part of the goal of being a servant leader, UNICEF, has taken on this role, and they have placed themselves in the line of fire to educate, assess and advocate for our children. a child does not have to be born in a free country to have a need. just looking around the USA, we hear of our children going to bed without food, not having the right health care. not have sufficient clothing to go to school and obtain an education. the help need to start at home as well. many of our children a starved for love, and basic needs. when we see our children regardless of where they come from is suffering, a small amount of fund can be given, look at what we in this country is privileged to obtain on a daily basis. we look at the waste on a daily basis. and often some do no think of those children who are in harms way struggling to survive with some clean water, some form of nurishing food. children going on day to day without food, shelter, scavenging for a meal, clothing and shelter, it is the basic need of every human being. why do we take the stance that it is not my problem, it is someone else problem. often comments are made, why don’t they leave, it is just a show to get my money? where is the caring of being my brother’s keeper. when will be reach out a helping hand like the men and women of UNICEF and other organizations, speaking out, reaching down to help others to move up. every child deserve to be loved, fed, and cared for, it is their right. reach out and help a child whether they are in the usa or in countries where children a seen as cattle, and not a person, eventhough they are small they deserve to be noticed. the children of now is the children of the future reach out and help there is an urgent need, impact this generation so that the future generations can say i received help and now i am giving back. it has to start from us the adults.
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