1 in 4 children lives in conflict, disaster zones

intern

December 9, 2016 3:18 PM

UNICEF’s Executive Director said the affected children often have no access to medical care, education, foods or protection.

A woman holds her child while waiting in a queue at one of the UNICEF nutrition clinics in Muna informal settlement, in northeastern Nigeria in June 2016

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday said an estimated 535 million children, representing one in four children lives in areas affected by conflict or disaster.

UNICEF’s Executive Director, Anthony Lake, said in a statement that children living in conflict and disaster stricken countries often have no access to medical care, education, foods or protection.

The new figures were released ahead of the 70th anniversary of UNICEF.

According to Lake, this has made them vulnerable to diseases and violence.

“Over 390 million children affected by emergencies live in Sub-Saharan Africa and almost 65 million children experience crises in the Middle-East.

“Whether children live in a country in conflict or a country in peace, their development is critical, not only to their individual future, but also to the future of their societies,’’ Lake said.

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