World

UNICEF says more Ukrainian children need aid

UN children's fund says 420,000 more youngsters will need help in 2017 as fighting continues in eastern Ukraine

17.02.2017 - Update : 17.02.2017
UNICEF says more Ukrainian children need aid

Geneve

By Fatih Erel

GENEVA

Around 420,000 more children in Ukraine will need humanitarian aid in 2017, UNICEF said on Friday.

The UN’s children’s fund also said one in five out of 740 schools in eastern Ukraine had been damaged or destroyed outright in the conflict between government forces and pro-Russian rebels.

Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac said lost incomes, social benefits and healthcare access were putting children at risk.

The cost of living had also risen sharply, Boulierac added.

"The situation is particularly grave for the approximately 200,000 girls and boys living within 15 kilometers [9 miles] on each side of the 'contact line' in eastern Ukraine, a line which divides government and non-government controlled areas where fighting is most severe," Boulierac said.

UNICEF called for an immediate ceasefire within the framework of Minsk Agreement signed in August 2015.

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
Related topics
Bu haberi paylaşın