Geneva [Switzerland], November 21: A total of 417 million children in low- and middle-income countries are severely deprived in areas including education, health and nutrition, according to a report by the UN children's agency.
Children in sub-Saharan Africa are most affected, according to UNICEF, noting that South and East Asia as well as the Pacific also show high rates of deprivation.
"Significant progress" seen this century so far in fighting child poverty is at risk after governments around the world have cut important funding for development cooperation and humanitarian aid, the organization said.
"Climate change and conflict threaten to drive ever more families into poverty," the report noted.
According to UNICEF, 412 million children worldwide are affected by monetary poverty, meaning they are surviving on $3 a day, but this "tells only part of the story," the organization noted. "Sanitation is the most widespread severe deprivation, with 65% of children lacking access to a toilet in low-income countries," it said.
UNICEF chief executive director Catherine Russell noted that child poverty was significantly reduced between 2014 and 2024 thanks to political efforts. She called on governments and businesses to provide funds for important services for children instead of withdrawing. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
