UNICEF appeals for $2.6 billion to deliver aid for children in ME
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – UNICEF appealed on Tuesday for $2.6 billion to deliver basic needs assistance to more than 52.7 million children in the Middle East and North Africa in 2023.
The UNICEF said, in a press release, that the humanitarian assistance will be allocated for children in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, Syria and the Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.
The aforementioned countries live in crisis and wars, as children are “the most affected and in massive need of assistance,” said Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa.
After 12 years of war in Syria, there are more than 6.5 million children live on humanitarian aid, the UNICEF added.
Although Turkey is not part of MENA region, the appeal includes the Syrian refugees’ response in the country, according to the UNICEF.
In December 2021, UNICEF appealed for $ 2.3 billion to respond to children’s needs for 2022. The appeal was revised to a total of US$ 2.4 billion, of which, only half of the funds were received.
In 2021, UNICEF required $334.430.070 to provide lifesaving assistance to 9.1 million people, including 5.5 million children across Syria, according to Humanitarian Action for Children.