The on-going war in Ukraine, natural disasters, and rising inflation have driven millions more children into poverty throughout Europe and Central Asia over the last two years, a new report by the UN children’s agency UNICEF showed on Thursday.
The report highlighted deepening inequalities and urged countries to put in place systems to support children at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
In Ukraine, conflict is having a devastating impact on children, the report said, adding that they have witnessed and experienced “unimaginable consequences” of the war.
By December 2022, more than 7.2 million children inside and outside Ukraine urgently needed humanitarian assistance.
The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected routine immunization services, with 95% of countries showing backsliding in immunization coverage, the report said.
