Middle East Conflict May Push 23.4 Million Children into Poverty: UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East could push up to 23.4 million children into poverty. The report, based on data from over 167 countries, highlights that rising food and energy prices, coupled with economic slowdown, threaten to reverse years of progress in reducing child poverty and exacerbate inequalities. This analysis focuses on monetary poverty, defined by household incomes falling below internationally recognized thresholds. In an adverse scenario, an additional 18.3 million children could fall into poverty this year, a figure that rises to 23.4 million under a severe scenario involving prolonged or intensified conflict. UNICEF's Executive Director, Catherine Russell, stated that children far from the conflict zone are also paying the price, as the increased cost of living makes essentials like food and education unaffordable for many families. Children already living in poverty face deepening deprivations with lifelong consequences. The report projects that approximately 80% of the predicted increase in child poverty will be concentrated in Asia and Africa, regions already grappling with high poverty rates and vulnerability to external shocks. Examples like Somalia, where fuel prices doubled after the conflict's escalation, illustrate the immediate impact on essential goods and humanitarian operations. Similarly, Ethiopia experienced significant fuel cost increases due to disruptions related to the Strait of Hormuz. UNICEF urges immediate action, calling on governments, donor countries, and financial institutions to protect funding for essential services such as health, nutrition, education, and child protection. They also advocate for ensuring access to basic goods and services, increasing fiscal space for vulnerable nations through debt relief, and strengthening response systems to safeguard children from future crises.