Coronavirus: UN needs record $2.5 billion to help Middle East children in need

The extra funds are needed due to the increase in conflicts, economic stagnation and Covid-19 cases

A malnourished Yemeni toddler is held by a woman at a clinic run by a humanitarian organisation in the port city of Hodeida. AFP

The United Nations children’s agency issued a record high appeal of $2.5 billion in emergency funding to reach 39 million children in the Middle East and North Africa on Monday.

The extra funds are needed, says Unicef, as the region has the highest number of children in need in the world due to the increase in conflicts, economic stagnation and the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This appeal aims to reach children with critical humanitarian assistance and continue responding to the massive needs emerging as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Ted Chaiban, Unicef’s regional director in the Middle East and North Africa said.

An increase of nearly $500 million is needed to continue responding to the Covid-19 pandemic amid a surge in cases across the region, the agency said.

Syria, Yemen and Sudan will be taking the majority of the funds as they’ve encountered the longest conflicts.

The decade long Syrian war has placed 4.8 million children in need of assistance. In neighbouring countries, 2.5 million children are Syrian refugees.

In Yemen, 12 million children or almost every child is in need of assistance.

In Sudan, 5.3 million children “face a multitude of challenges including due to floods believed to be the harshest in the past century, political transition and an economic crisis,” Unicef said.

“We hear of fatigue to fund long term crises like in Yemen and Syria. The solution to these conflicts is through a political track and a diplomatic process,” Mr Chaiban said.

“Until a solution is reached, the world cannot turn a blind eye to the needs of children impacted by two of the most horrific conflicts in recent history,” he said.

The economic crisis along with the rise in coronavirus cases and the horrific explosion in August made nearly 1.9 million children dependent on assistance.

Last year, Unicef appealed for $2 billion but only received half of the requested funds.

Mr Chaiban said the agency is grateful for the generosity of all donors that managed to save millions of lives through vaccination, treatment of malnutrition and clean water and hygiene.

“We do hope that these donors and others will continue to commit to children as we face more hardships and the ripple effect of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.