Economic fallout due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed 4 million children into poverty in eastern Europe and Central Asia, said UNICEF on Monday (October 17).

"Children are bearing the heaviest burden of the economic crisis caused by the war in Ukraine," UNICEF said.

The conflict "and rising inflation have driven an additional four million children across eastern Europe and Central Asia into poverty, a 19 percent increase since 2021", it said.

UNICEF studied data from 22 countries to come to its conclusion.

Russian and Ukrainian children have been most affected since Moscow's attack on its neighbour in February.

"Russia accounts for nearly three-quarters of the total increase in the number of children living in poverty due to the Ukraine war and a cost-of-living crisis across the region, with an additional 2.8 million children now living in households below the poverty line," UNICEF found.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-fighting-going-on-around-two-donbas-towns-says-zelensky-525951">Heavy fighting going on around two Donbas towns, says Zelensky</a>

The blow to Russia's economy from Western sanctions combined with its large population to produce the outsize effect.

"Ukraine is home to half a million additional children living in poverty, the second largest share," UNICEF added. 
Romania followed closely behind, with a further 110,000 children in poverty.

"Children all over the region are being swept up in this war's terrible wake," said UNICEF regional director for Europe and Central Asia, Afshan Khan.

"If we don't support these children and families now, the steep rise in child poverty will almost certainly result in lost lives, lost learning, and lost futures."

The agency explained that the poorer the family is, the greater the proportion of its income it needs to spend on food and fuel. This leaves less for children's healthcare and education.

They are also "more at risk of violence, exploitation and abuse".

UNICEF said that this could translate into additional 4500 children dying before their first birthdays.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Economic fallout due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed 4 million children into poverty in eastern Europe and Central Asia, said UNICEF on Monday (October 17).

Economic fallout due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed 4 million children into poverty in eastern Europe and Central Asia, said UNICEF on Monday (October 17). "Children are bearing the heaviest burden of the economic crisis caused by the war in Ukraine," UNICEF said. The conflict "and rising inflation have driven an additional four million children across eastern Europe and Central Asia into poverty, a 19 percent increase since 2021", it said. UNICEF studied data from 22 countries to come to its conclusion. Russian and Ukrainian children have been most affected since Moscow's attack on its neighbour in February. "Russia accounts for nearly three-quarters of the total increase in the number of children living in poverty due to the Ukraine war and a cost-of-living crisis across the region, with an additional 2.8 million children now living in households below the poverty line," UNICEF found. Also Read | Heavy fighting going on around two Donbas towns, says Zelensky The blow to Russia's economy from Western sanctions combined with its large population to produce the outsize effect. "Ukraine is home to half a million additional children living in poverty, the second largest share," UNICEF added. Romania followed closely behind, with a further 110,000 children in poverty. "Children all over the region are being swept up in this war's terrible wake," said UNICEF regional director for Europe and Central Asia, Afshan Khan. "If we don't support these children and families now, the steep rise in child poverty will almost certainly result in lost lives, lost learning, and lost futures." The agency explained that the poorer the family is, the greater the proportion of its income it needs to spend on food and fuel. This leaves less for children's healthcare and education. They are also "more at risk of violence, exploitation and abuse". UNICEF said that this could translate into additional 4500 children dying before their first birthdays. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Ukraine conflict has pushed 4 million children into poverty: UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with its aim to fight malaria, has awarded GSK, a pharmaceutical firm, the first ever supply of a malaria vaccine with a potential value of $170 million.

According to a statement given by the UN agency, this historic grant will make 18 million doses of RTS,S available for the following three years, potentially saving thousands of lives each year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-malaria-day-2022-india-did-a-remarkable-progress-says-union-health-minister-mansukh-mandaviya-473731">World Malaria Day 2022: From causes to who all are at risk, here's all you need to know</a>

Etleva Kadilli, director of the UN agency’s supply division, said that this vaccine deployment is a message to the vaccine developers to continue with their efforts, as the vaccines are required and demanded.

Kadilli said, "We hope this is just the beginning. Continued innovation is needed to develop new and next-generation vaccines to increase available supply, and enable a healthier vaccine market. This is a giant step forward in our collective efforts to save children’s lives and reduce the burden of malaria as part of wider malaria prevention and control programme," PTI reported.

According to the child welfare agency, this contract is the result of 18 months of extensive planning and engagement by others. The afflicted nations are anticipated to have significant demand for the malaria vaccine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-resulted-in-alarming-increase-in-malaria-deaths-who-434686">Coronavirus pandemic resulted in alarming increase in malaria deaths: WHO</a>

RTS,S the first ever vaccine&nbsp;against a parasitic disease, is the result of 35 years of study and development. The vaccine protects against Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria parasite that causes the worst cases worldwide, mostly in Africa.

When its availability increases, the vaccine can offer additional protection against malaria to approximately 25 million children each year in more than 30 countries with moderate to high malaria transmission.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with its aim to fight malaria, has awarded GSK, a pharmaceutical firm, the first ever supply of a malaria vaccine with a potential value of $170 million.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with its aim to fight malaria, has awarded GSK, a pharmaceutical firm, the first ever supply of a malaria vaccine with a potential value of $170 million. According to a statement given by the UN agency, this historic grant will make 18 million doses of RTS,S available for the following three years, potentially saving thousands of lives each year. Also read | World Malaria Day 2022: From causes to who all are at risk, here's all you need to know Etleva Kadilli, director of the UN agency’s supply division, said that this vaccine deployment is a message to the vaccine developers to continue with their efforts, as the vaccines are required and demanded. Kadilli said, "We hope this is just the beginning. Continued innovation is needed to develop new and next-generation vaccines to increase available supply, and enable a healthier vaccine market. This is a giant step forward in our collective efforts to save children’s lives and reduce the burden of malaria as part of wider malaria prevention and control programme," PTI reported. According to the child welfare agency, this contract is the result of 18 months of extensive planning and engagement by others. The afflicted nations are anticipated to have significant demand for the malaria vaccine. Also read | Coronavirus pandemic resulted in alarming increase in malaria deaths: WHO RTS,S the first ever vaccine against a parasitic disease, is the result of 35 years of study and development. The vaccine protects against Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria parasite that causes the worst cases worldwide, mostly in Africa. When its availability increases, the vaccine can offer additional protection against malaria to approximately 25 million children each year in more than 30 countries with moderate to high malaria transmission. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘We hope this is just the beginning’: UNICEF secures first malaria vaccine supply, says will benefit millions

Actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas met with Ukrainian refugee families in Poland. She called for more support for Ukrainian refugee children.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas meets Ukrainian refugee families in Poland

The number of fatalities from the earthquake that struck Afghanistan on Wednesday has increased to 1,150 and more than 3,000 dwellings have been completely demolished, as reported by Associated Press. The death toll increased on Friday (June 24) from earlier estimates of 1,000 deaths caused by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, the Bhaktar News Agency said. However, as per the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the death toll is different. It estimated 770 deaths while the UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan predicted the toll to be 1036 and still counting. According to Hindustan Times, significant variations in death counts and destruction statistics are expected.

Mohammad Nassim Haqqani, a spokesperson of the ministry for disaster, while in conversation with Reuters, said that 2,000 individuals were injured and nearly 10,000 homes destroyed. This is one of the deadliest earthquakes the country has seen&nbsp;in 20 years. As per reports, the eastern district of Paktika is the worst-hit area.&nbsp;This doesn’t end here; the communication has also been impacted due to the destruction of phone towers and power lines.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-resisting-humanitarian-funding-un-491166">Taliban resisting humanitarian funding: UN</a>

According to Save the Children, the disaster has nearly impacted more than 118,000 children. It further said, “Many are now most likely without clean drinking water, food and a safe place to sleep."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: 5.9 Magnitude earthquake kills 1,000 in Afghanistan

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Several countries like Germany, Norway and others will help the south Asian country through United Nations and not directly to the Taliban. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also provided the country with essentials.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mass-graves-being-prepared-for-earthquake-victims-in-afghanistan-491083">Mass graves being prepared for earthquake victims in Afghanistan</a>

The Taliban takeover has isolated the country from the world, and this disaster has put the nation in tremendous difficulty. In addition to this, the prime reason for delayed global help is again the Taliban as the majority of international organisations left Afghanistan after the Taliban seized the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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(with inputs from agencies) 
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The number of fatalities from the earthquake that struck Afghanistan on Wednesday has increased to 1,150 and more than 3,000 dwellings have been completely demolished, as reported by Associated Press.

The number of fatalities from the earthquake that struck Afghanistan on Wednesday has increased to 1,150 and more than 3,000 dwellings have been completely demolished, as reported by Associated Press. The death toll increased on Friday (June 24) from earlier estimates of 1,000 deaths caused by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, the Bhaktar News Agency said. However, as per the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the death toll is different. It estimated 770 deaths while the UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan predicted the toll to be 1036 and still counting. According to Hindustan Times, significant variations in death counts and destruction statistics are expected. Mohammad Nassim Haqqani, a spokesperson of the ministry for disaster, while in conversation with Reuters, said that 2,000 individuals were injured and nearly 10,000 homes destroyed. This is one of the deadliest earthquakes the country has seen in 20 years. As per reports, the eastern district of Paktika is the worst-hit area. This doesn’t end here; the communication has also been impacted due to the destruction of phone towers and power lines. Also read | Taliban resisting humanitarian funding: UN According to Save the Children, the disaster has nearly impacted more than 118,000 children. It further said, “Many are now most likely without clean drinking water, food and a safe place to sleep." Watch | Gravitas: 5.9 Magnitude earthquake kills 1,000 in Afghanistan Several countries like Germany, Norway and others will help the south Asian country through United Nations and not directly to the Taliban. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also provided the country with essentials. Also read | Mass graves being prepared for earthquake victims in Afghanistan The Taliban takeover has isolated the country from the world, and this disaster has put the nation in tremendous difficulty. In addition to this, the prime reason for delayed global help is again the Taliban as the majority of international organisations left Afghanistan after the Taliban seized the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (with inputs from agencies)

Death toll for Afghanistan earthquake reaches 1,150 with nearly 3,000 homes destroyed

Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov who had decided to auction his Nobel Prize&nbsp;to help Ukrainian children&nbsp;successfully sold the gold medal for&nbsp;$103.5 million.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HERITAGELIVE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HERITAGELIVE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DmitryMuratov?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DmitryMuratov</a>, EIC of Russian news outlet <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NovayaGazeta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NovayaGazeta</a>, with HA, auctioned his 2021 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NobelPeacePrize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NobelPeacePrize</a> to benefit UNICEF's child refugee fund. It sold for $103,500,000 <a href="https://t.co/MTW6PcX201">https://t.co/MTW6PcX201</a> 
 
HA worked to ensure the winning bid is already in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNICEF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNICEF</a>'s possession. <a href="https://t.co/BThlZTqjBq">pic.twitter.com/BThlZTqjBq</a>
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The person who bid for the Nobel Peace Prize hasn't been named. According to Heritage Auctions, all proceeds will go towards UNICEF's humanitarian response for Ukrainian children displaced by war.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/africa-is-actually-a-hostage-zelensky-blames-food-crisis-on-russia-490049">Also Read |&nbsp;'Africa is actually a hostage': Zelensky blames food crisis on Russia</a>

Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa of Philippines had jointly won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression".&nbsp;Muratov is the editor-in-chief of Russia's independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta

Watch:&nbsp;World marks refugee day amid Ukraine war

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According to UN estimates 6.6 million refugees have left Ukraine with most fleeing to neighbouring Poland including Romania, Hungary, Moldova and Slovakia.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute had lauded Muratov's decision to sell the gold medal to raise funds for children calling it a "generous act of humanitarianism very much in the spirit of Alfred Nobel".

Muratov had pleaded people to donate what they could to UNICEF with the goal to "foster awareness of refugee crises" and to continue giving even after the auction process gets over.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov who had decided to auction his Nobel Prize to help Ukrainian children successfully sold the gold medal for $103.5 million. #HERITAGELIVE #DmitryMuratov, EIC of Russian news outlet #NovayaGazeta, with HA, auctioned his 2021 #NobelPeacePrize to benefit UNICEF's child refugee fund.

Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov who had decided to auction his Nobel Prize to help Ukrainian children successfully sold the gold medal for $103.5 million. #HERITAGELIVE #DmitryMuratov, EIC of Russian news outlet #NovayaGazeta, with HA, auctioned his 2021 #NobelPeacePrize to benefit UNICEF's child refugee fund. It sold for $103,500,000 https://t.co/MTW6PcX201 HA worked to ensure the winning bid is already in #UNICEF's possession. pic.twitter.com/BThlZTqjBq — Heritage Auctions (@HeritageAuction) June 21, 2022 × The person who bid for the Nobel Peace Prize hasn't been named. According to Heritage Auctions, all proceeds will go towards UNICEF's humanitarian response for Ukrainian children displaced by war. Also Read | 'Africa is actually a hostage': Zelensky blames food crisis on Russia Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa of Philippines had jointly won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression". Muratov is the editor-in-chief of Russia's independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta Watch: World marks refugee day amid Ukraine war According to UN estimates 6.6 million refugees have left Ukraine with most fleeing to neighbouring Poland including Romania, Hungary, Moldova and Slovakia. The Norwegian Nobel Institute had lauded Muratov's decision to sell the gold medal to raise funds for children calling it a "generous act of humanitarianism very much in the spirit of Alfred Nobel". Muratov had pleaded people to donate what they could to UNICEF with the goal to "foster awareness of refugee crises" and to continue giving even after the auction process gets over. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian Nobel laureate Muratov sells medal for whopping price to aid Ukraine children

Measles cases have surged by nearly 80% across the world. According to a new report by the United Nations, the rise in measles cases is a dire warning and it could mean that the outbreak of other diseases is likely to be on the way.

UNICEF warns against global measles outbreaks after cases surge across the globe

UNICEF has claimed that 4.8 million out of 7.5 million Ukraine children have been displaced and 142 youngsters have lost their lives as a consequence to the Russian-Ukraine war that started on February 24.

The UN children’s agency further believes that the number of children leaving their homes could be higher than their estimate.

Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF’s emergency programs director who recently returned from Ukraine, said that he has never seen such humanitarian tragedy on this scale in such a short time.

“They have been forced to leave everything behind — their homes, their schools and, often, their family members,” he told the UN Security Council.

“I have heard stories of the desperate steps parents are taking to get their children to safety, and children saddened that they are unable to get back to school,” he was quoted as saying.

"As of yesterday, OHCHR has verified 142 children killed and 229 children injured.&nbsp; We know these numbers are likely much higher —and many of them were caused by crossfire or the use of explosive weapons in populated areas,” he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-for-some-russian-forces-surround-mariupol-470368">'Sadists, rapists': Russian forces using rape as punishing tactic in Ukraine, UN women's body voices concern</a>

According to AP news agency, Ukraine’s UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya has claimed that Russia has taken more than 121,000 children, both orphans&nbsp;and those with parents, out of Ukraine and planning to get them adopted in Russia.

He claimed that most of the children were removed from the besieged southern port city of Mariupol and taken to eastern Donetsk and then to the Russian city of Taganrog.

UNICEF’s Fontaine claimed that he, too, has heard similar reports, but added that “we don’t have yet the access that we need to have to be able to look and verify and see if we can assist.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/aerorozvidka-how-ukraines-elite-it-force-halted-russias-long-mechanised-brigade-eyeing-kyiv-467687">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;How Ukraine's elite IT force halted Russia's brigade eyeing Kyiv</a>

He said that of Ukraine’s displaced children, 2.8 million are in Ukraine and 2 million more are in other countries.

At the same time, he said, nearly half the estimated 3.2 million children still in their homes in Ukraine “may be at risk of not having enough food,” with those in besieged cities like Mariupol facing the most dire situation.

Also read |&nbsp;Russia poised to take Mariupol, where is military aid pledged by US, NATO?

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(With inputs from agencies)

UNICEF has claimed that 4.8 million out of 7.5 million Ukraine children have been displaced and 142 youngsters have lost their lives as a consequence to the Russian-Ukraine war that started on February 24.

UNICEF has claimed that 4.8 million out of 7.5 million Ukraine children have been displaced and 142 youngsters have lost their lives as a consequence to the Russian-Ukraine war that started on February 24. The UN children’s agency further believes that the number of children leaving their homes could be higher than their estimate. Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF’s emergency programs director who recently returned from Ukraine, said that he has never seen such humanitarian tragedy on this scale in such a short time. “They have been forced to leave everything behind — their homes, their schools and, often, their family members,” he told the UN Security Council. “I have heard stories of the desperate steps parents are taking to get their children to safety, and children saddened that they are unable to get back to school,” he was quoted as saying. "As of yesterday, OHCHR has verified 142 children killed and 229 children injured. We know these numbers are likely much higher —and many of them were caused by crossfire or the use of explosive weapons in populated areas,” he added. Also read | 'Sadists, rapists': Russian forces using rape as punishing tactic in Ukraine, UN women's body voices concern According to AP news agency, Ukraine’s UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya has claimed that Russia has taken more than 121,000 children, both orphans and those with parents, out of Ukraine and planning to get them adopted in Russia. He claimed that most of the children were removed from the besieged southern port city of Mariupol and taken to eastern Donetsk and then to the Russian city of Taganrog. UNICEF’s Fontaine claimed that he, too, has heard similar reports, but added that “we don’t have yet the access that we need to have to be able to look and verify and see if we can assist.” Also read | Also Read in Pics: How Ukraine's elite IT force halted Russia's brigade eyeing Kyiv He said that of Ukraine’s displaced children, 2.8 million are in Ukraine and 2 million more are in other countries. At the same time, he said, nearly half the estimated 3.2 million children still in their homes in Ukraine “may be at risk of not having enough food,” with those in besieged cities like Mariupol facing the most dire situation. Also read | Russia poised to take Mariupol, where is military aid pledged by US, NATO? (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-Ukraine war: Nearly 4.8 million Ukrainian children displaced, 142 killed, claims UNICEF

As the Covid-19 pandemic enters its third year, 23 countries - home to around 405 million schoolchildren - are yet to fully reopen schools, with many schoolchildren at risk of dropping out, the UN Children`s Fund (UNICEF) has said. 
 
Over the past two years, nearly 147 million children missed more than half of their in-person schooling, amounting to 2 trillion hours of lost learning, UNICEF said in a report called "Are children really learning?", Xinhua news agency reported. 
 
"When children are not able to interact with their teachers and their peers directly, their learning suffers. When they are not able to interact with their teachers and peers at all, their learning loss may become permanent," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell in a press release. 
 
"This rising inequality in access to learning means that education risks becoming the greatest divider, not the greatest equalizer. When the world fails to educate its children, we all suffer." 
 
In addition to data on learning loss, the report points to emerging evidence that shows many children did not return to school when their classrooms reopened. 
 
Data from Liberia show 43 per cent of students in public schools did not return when schools reopened in December 2020. The number of out-of-school children in South Africa tripled from 250,000 to 750,000 between March 2020 and July 2021. 
 
"In Uganda, around 1 in 10 schoolchildren did not report back to school in January 2022 after schools were closed for two years. In Malawi, the dropout rate among girls in secondary education increased by 48 per cent between 2020 and 2021. In Kenya, a survey of 4,000 adolescents aged 10-19 years found that 16 per cent of girls and 8 percent of boys did not return when schools reopened," says the report. 
 
"Out-of-school children are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised children in society. They are the least likely to be able to read, write or do basic math, and are cut off from the safety net that schools provide, which puts them at an increased risk of exploitation and a lifetime of poverty and deprivation." 
 
The report highlights that while out-of-school children suffer the most significant loss, pre-pandemic data from 32 countries and territories show a desperately poor level of learning, a situation likely exacerbated by the scale of learning lost to the pandemic. 
 
In the countries analysed, the current pace of learning is so slow that it would take seven years for most schoolchildren to learn foundational reading skills that should have been grasped in two years, and 11 years to learn foundational numeracy skills, says the report. 
 
In many cases, there is no guarantee that schoolchildren learned the basics at all. In the 32 countries and territories examined, a quarter of Grade-8 schoolchildren did not have foundational reading skills and more than half did not have numeracy skills expected of a Grade-2 student, it says. 
 
"Even before the pandemic, the most marginalized children were being left behind. As the pandemic enters its third year, we can`t afford to go back to `normal.` We need a new normal: getting children into classrooms, assessing where they are in their learning, providing them with the intensive support they need to recover what they`ve missed, and ensuring that teachers have the training and learning resources they need. The stakes are too high to do anything less," said Russell.

As the Covid-19 pandemic enters its third year, 23 countries - home to around 405 million schoolchildren - are yet to fully reopen schools, with many schoolchildren at risk of dropping out, the UN Children`s Fund (UNICEF) has said.

As the Covid-19 pandemic enters its third year, 23 countries - home to around 405 million schoolchildren - are yet to fully reopen schools, with many schoolchildren at risk of dropping out, the UN Children`s Fund (UNICEF) has said. Over the past two years, nearly 147 million children missed more than half of their in-person schooling, amounting to 2 trillion hours of lost learning, UNICEF said in a report called "Are children really learning?", Xinhua news agency reported. "When children are not able to interact with their teachers and their peers directly, their learning suffers. When they are not able to interact with their teachers and peers at all, their learning loss may become permanent," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell in a press release. "This rising inequality in access to learning means that education risks becoming the greatest divider, not the greatest equalizer. When the world fails to educate its children, we all suffer." In addition to data on learning loss, the report points to emerging evidence that shows many children did not return to school when their classrooms reopened. Data from Liberia show 43 per cent of students in public schools did not return when schools reopened in December 2020. The number of out-of-school children in South Africa tripled from 250,000 to 750,000 between March 2020 and July 2021. "In Uganda, around 1 in 10 schoolchildren did not report back to school in January 2022 after schools were closed for two years. In Malawi, the dropout rate among girls in secondary education increased by 48 per cent between 2020 and 2021. In Kenya, a survey of 4,000 adolescents aged 10-19 years found that 16 per cent of girls and 8 percent of boys did not return when schools reopened," says the report. "Out-of-school children are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised children in society. They are the least likely to be able to read, write or do basic math, and are cut off from the safety net that schools provide, which puts them at an increased risk of exploitation and a lifetime of poverty and deprivation." The report highlights that while out-of-school children suffer the most significant loss, pre-pandemic data from 32 countries and territories show a desperately poor level of learning, a situation likely exacerbated by the scale of learning lost to the pandemic. In the countries analysed, the current pace of learning is so slow that it would take seven years for most schoolchildren to learn foundational reading skills that should have been grasped in two years, and 11 years to learn foundational numeracy skills, says the report. In many cases, there is no guarantee that schoolchildren learned the basics at all. In the 32 countries and territories examined, a quarter of Grade-8 schoolchildren did not have foundational reading skills and more than half did not have numeracy skills expected of a Grade-2 student, it says. "Even before the pandemic, the most marginalized children were being left behind. As the pandemic enters its third year, we can`t afford to go back to `normal.` We need a new normal: getting children into classrooms, assessing where they are in their learning, providing them with the intensive support they need to recover what they`ve missed, and ensuring that teachers have the training and learning resources they need. The stakes are too high to do anything less," said Russell.

23 countries yet to fully reopen schools after Covid closings: UNICEF

Formula One drivers will gather together on the grid ahead of Sunday's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix to raise awareness of UNICEF's emergency fundraising appeal for its programmes helping children and families in Ukraine and other conflict zones, the sport said on Sunday.

The 20 drivers will stand on the grid behind a banner in support of the appeal, urging fans to consider donating to the United Nations children's agency's appeal.

Formula One and teams have already made a "generous donation", the sport said, without specifying a number.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t-natarajan-breaks-a-stump-into-two-as-sunrisers-hyderabad-pacer-breathes-fire-ahead-of-ipl-2022-watch-464044">T Natarajan breaks a stump into two as Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer breathes fire ahead of IPL 2022 - WATCH</a>

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Over three million have fled the fighting for other countries, according to United Nations data, in what has become Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War Two.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation".

Formula One drivers will gather together on the grid ahead of Sunday's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix to raise awareness of UNICEF's emergency fundraising appeal for its programmes helping children and families in Ukraine and other conflict zones, the sport said on Sunday.

Formula One drivers will gather together on the grid ahead of Sunday's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix to raise awareness of UNICEF's emergency fundraising appeal for its programmes helping children and families in Ukraine and other conflict zones, the sport said on Sunday. The 20 drivers will stand on the grid behind a banner in support of the appeal, urging fans to consider donating to the United Nations children's agency's appeal. Formula One and teams have already made a "generous donation", the sport said, without specifying a number. ALSO READ: T Natarajan breaks a stump into two as Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer breathes fire ahead of IPL 2022 - WATCH Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Over three million have fled the fighting for other countries, according to United Nations data, in what has become Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War Two. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation".

F1 drivers to support UNICEF's emergency fundraising appeal for Ukraine

Forty-seven&nbsp;children&nbsp;were "killed&nbsp;or&nbsp;maimed" in&nbsp;Yemen's civil war in January and February following a surge in violence, the United Nations&nbsp;children's fund said on Saturday.

Children&nbsp;are the "first and most to suffer",&nbsp;UNICEF&nbsp;said, adding that a total of at least over 10,000 minors have been&nbsp;killed&nbsp;or injured in a war that has raged since 2015.

"Just over the first&nbsp;two&nbsp;months&nbsp;of this year,&nbsp;47&nbsp;children&nbsp;were reportedly&nbsp;killed&nbsp;or&nbsp;maimed&nbsp;in several locations across&nbsp;Yemen," Philippe Duamelle,&nbsp;UNICEF&nbsp;representative to&nbsp;Yemen, said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-angelina-jolie-visits-yemen-to-help-refugees-amid-ukraine-russia-war-459827">Angelina Jolie visits Yemen to help refugees amid Ukraine-Russia war</a>

"Since the conflict escalated in&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;nearly seven years ago, the UN verified that more than 10,200&nbsp;children&nbsp;have been&nbsp;killed&nbsp;or injured. The actual number is likely much higher."

In the Ukraine war, at least 71&nbsp;children&nbsp;have been&nbsp;killed&nbsp;and more than 100 wounded in&nbsp;two&nbsp;weeks since Russia's invasion on February 24, a Ukrainian parliament official said Thursday.

Hundreds of thousands of people have died as a direct or indirect consequence of&nbsp;Yemen's war between Iran-backed Huthi rebels and a government forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition.

In November, the UN Development Programme said 377,000 lives would have been lost through fighting, hunger, unclean water and disease by the end of 2021.

"Violence, misery and grief have been commonplace in&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;with severe consequences on millions of&nbsp;children&nbsp;and families," Duamelle said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/doctors-without-borders-workers-kidnapped-in-yemen-report-459484">Doctors Without Borders workers kidnapped in Yemen: Report</a>

"It is high time that a sustainable political solution is reached for people and their&nbsp;children&nbsp;to finally live in the peace they so well deserve."

The conflict has caused a collapse in basic services such as healthcare and education, with millions of people displaced and 80 percent of the population dependent on aid.

More than 2,500 schools are unusable, according to&nbsp;UNICEF, as they have been destroyed, converted for military purposes, or used to shelter the displaced.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: The Yemen Conflict is intensifying

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-yemen-conflict-is-intensifying-450272/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A report released by the UN Security Council in January said nearly 2,000&nbsp;children&nbsp;recruited by the rebels had died on the battlefield between January 2020 and May 2021.

Forty-seven children were "killed or maimed" in Yemen's civil war in January and February following a surge in violence, the United Nations children's fund said on Saturday.

Forty-seven children were "killed or maimed" in Yemen's civil war in January and February following a surge in violence, the United Nations children's fund said on Saturday. Children are the "first and most to suffer", UNICEF said, adding that a total of at least over 10,000 minors have been killed or injured in a war that has raged since 2015. "Just over the first two months of this year, 47 children were reportedly killed or maimed in several locations across Yemen," Philippe Duamelle, UNICEF representative to Yemen, said in a statement. Also read | Angelina Jolie visits Yemen to help refugees amid Ukraine-Russia war "Since the conflict escalated in Yemen nearly seven years ago, the UN verified that more than 10,200 children have been killed or injured. The actual number is likely much higher." In the Ukraine war, at least 71 children have been killed and more than 100 wounded in two weeks since Russia's invasion on February 24, a Ukrainian parliament official said Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of people have died as a direct or indirect consequence of Yemen's war between Iran-backed Huthi rebels and a government forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition. In November, the UN Development Programme said 377,000 lives would have been lost through fighting, hunger, unclean water and disease by the end of 2021. "Violence, misery and grief have been commonplace in Yemen with severe consequences on millions of children and families," Duamelle said. Also read | Doctors Without Borders workers kidnapped in Yemen: Report "It is high time that a sustainable political solution is reached for people and their children to finally live in the peace they so well deserve." The conflict has caused a collapse in basic services such as healthcare and education, with millions of people displaced and 80 percent of the population dependent on aid. More than 2,500 schools are unusable, according to UNICEF, as they have been destroyed, converted for military purposes, or used to shelter the displaced. Watch | Gravitas: The Yemen Conflict is intensifying A report released by the UN Security Council in January said nearly 2,000 children recruited by the rebels had died on the battlefield between January 2020 and May 2021.

47 children killed, maimed in Yemen in two months: UNICEF

Nepal has made significant progress in the nutrition of mothers and children at risk due to inequities and the COVID-19 pandemic, said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).&nbsp;

Despite periods of political and economic instability, Nepal achieved globally renowned progress in reducing child stunting and scaling up nutrition services during the Millennium Development Goals era (2002 -2016).&nbsp;

However, the country still faces considerable nutrition-related challenges. Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets on stunting and wasting is not advancing at the speed, scale or equity required and maybe further derailed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

UNICEF's "Nutrition in Nepal: Three decades of progress for children and women", brings together a set of nine original articles that examine the drivers of success and identify where greater policy and programmatic action is needed to achieve the SDG nutrition targets.

Stunting in children (under the age of two) decreased by 24-percentage points between 1996 (57 per cent) and 2016 (33 per cent). This was due to the increased coverage of health and nutrition services and improvements in household wealth, parental education, and sanitation.&nbsp;

More women took sufficient iron and folic acid supplements during their pregnancy, with an increase in the percentage from only 6 per cent in 2001 to 71 per cent in 2016.&nbsp;

“Optimal maternal and child nutrition is the basis for developing a resilient society. The decline in the number of malnourished children, improvements in health facilities and services, and the multisectoral approach used in Nepal over the past three decades are a testament to Nepal government commitment to reducing all forms of malnutrition,” EU Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Nona Deprez.&nbsp;

Today, Nepal has a very different policy and programmatic landscape from that at the start of the MDG era, and there are new opportunities and challenges in the quest to achieve the national and global targets on nutrition.&nbsp;

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a human and socio-economic crisis that threatens to unravel past progress on nutrition.

“The learning from the past 25 years that are incorporated in the supplement of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Journal are invaluable. These will inform and contribute to future improvements within the nutrition programme in Nepal,” said Ms. Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative to Nepal.

UNICEF also calls upon the government and partners to improve the health of children in Nepal.&nbsp;

Nepal has made significant progress in the nutrition of mothers and children at risk due to inequities and the COVID-19 pandemic, said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Nepal has made significant progress in the nutrition of mothers and children at risk due to inequities and the COVID-19 pandemic, said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Despite periods of political and economic instability, Nepal achieved globally renowned progress in reducing child stunting and scaling up nutrition services during the Millennium Development Goals era (2002 -2016). However, the country still faces considerable nutrition-related challenges. Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets on stunting and wasting is not advancing at the speed, scale or equity required and maybe further derailed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF's "Nutrition in Nepal: Three decades of progress for children and women", brings together a set of nine original articles that examine the drivers of success and identify where greater policy and programmatic action is needed to achieve the SDG nutrition targets. Stunting in children (under the age of two) decreased by 24-percentage points between 1996 (57 per cent) and 2016 (33 per cent). This was due to the increased coverage of health and nutrition services and improvements in household wealth, parental education, and sanitation. More women took sufficient iron and folic acid supplements during their pregnancy, with an increase in the percentage from only 6 per cent in 2001 to 71 per cent in 2016. “Optimal maternal and child nutrition is the basis for developing a resilient society. The decline in the number of malnourished children, improvements in health facilities and services, and the multisectoral approach used in Nepal over the past three decades are a testament to Nepal government commitment to reducing all forms of malnutrition,” EU Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Nona Deprez. Today, Nepal has a very different policy and programmatic landscape from that at the start of the MDG era, and there are new opportunities and challenges in the quest to achieve the national and global targets on nutrition. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a human and socio-economic crisis that threatens to unravel past progress on nutrition. “The learning from the past 25 years that are incorporated in the supplement of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Journal are invaluable. These will inform and contribute to future improvements within the nutrition programme in Nepal,” said Ms. Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative to Nepal. UNICEF also calls upon the government and partners to improve the health of children in Nepal.

Nepal makes significant progress in nutrition of mothers, children at risk: UNICEF

The Omicron variant has brought an urgency in getting the world vaccinated, but despite this, foreign nations last month have rejected almost about 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines mainly due to their rapid expiry date.

UNICEF: Poor nations rejected over 100 MN vaccine doses due to near expiry dates & lack of storage

UNICEF has expressed concern that reimplementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the US southern border with Mexico, as required by court order, could threaten the safety and wellbeing of asylum-seeking children and their families.

The MPP is a US government program, launched on January 1, 2019, under former President Donald Trump. Known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy, it mandates that certain citizens and nationals of countries other than Mexico be returned to Mexico while their American removal proceedings are pending.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remain-in-mexico-us-sends-back-two-mexican-migrants-under-controversial-trump-era-policy-435442">'Remain in Mexico': US sends back two Mexican migrants under controversial Trump-era policy</a>

The MPP applies to those who arrive by land from Mexico.

"Following the initial implementation of MPP in January 2019, more than 70,000 asylum seekers were forced to return to Mexico until US immigration courts could resolve their cases. Those subject to MPP, including many children and adolescents, waited for months in shelters and makeshift camps in Mexico without access to appropriate housing, hygiene, nutrition and essential services," the UN agency said in a statement.

Although the Unicef welcomes "commitments from the US government to assist Central American countries in tackling the root causes of migration and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need", it contended that the MPP could have "profound consequences for children, many of whom have been left with no safe options to escape dire conditions and threats in their home countries".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unprecedented-number-of-migrants-cross-mexico-border-us-govt-405181">'Unprecedented' number of migrants cross Mexico border: US govt</a>

"All migrant children have the right to protection, essential services, to live in adequate conditions with dignity and to be with their families.

"Children - no matter where they come from or what their migration status - are children first and foremost. It is imperative that all governments prioritize the protection and wellbeing of children in line with their best interests and guarantee their access to asylum procedures in a timely manner," the Unicef statement added.

In a memorandum issued on June 1, the Secretary of Homeland Security stated that the MPP should be terminated.

However, on August 13, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled that the June 1 memo did not comply with the Administrative Procedure Act and ordered DHS to "enforce and implement MPP in good faith."

Watch |&nbsp;Mexico: 49 migrants killed, dozens injured in Mexico truck accident

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexico-49-migrants-killed-dozens-injured-in-mexico-truck-accident-435696/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As a result of the extensive review conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department issued a new memorandum terminating MPP on October 29. DHS will implement the new memorandum as soon as practicable after the issuance of the final judicial decision vacating the Texas injunction.

Till then in compliance with the order, the MPP has been restarted and on Wednesday, US authorities returned the first two migrants to Mexico under the reinstated "Remain in Mexico" policy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

UNICEF has expressed concern that reimplementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the US southern border with Mexico, as required by court order, could threaten the safety and wellbeing of asylum-seeking children and their families.

UNICEF has expressed concern that reimplementing the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) at the US southern border with Mexico, as required by court order, could threaten the safety and wellbeing of asylum-seeking children and their families. The MPP is a US government program, launched on January 1, 2019, under former President Donald Trump. Known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy, it mandates that certain citizens and nationals of countries other than Mexico be returned to Mexico while their American removal proceedings are pending. Also read | 'Remain in Mexico': US sends back two Mexican migrants under controversial Trump-era policy The MPP applies to those who arrive by land from Mexico. "Following the initial implementation of MPP in January 2019, more than 70,000 asylum seekers were forced to return to Mexico until US immigration courts could resolve their cases. Those subject to MPP, including many children and adolescents, waited for months in shelters and makeshift camps in Mexico without access to appropriate housing, hygiene, nutrition and essential services," the UN agency said in a statement. Although the Unicef welcomes "commitments from the US government to assist Central American countries in tackling the root causes of migration and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need", it contended that the MPP could have "profound consequences for children, many of whom have been left with no safe options to escape dire conditions and threats in their home countries". Also read | 'Unprecedented' number of migrants cross Mexico border: US govt "All migrant children have the right to protection, essential services, to live in adequate conditions with dignity and to be with their families. "Children - no matter where they come from or what their migration status - are children first and foremost. It is imperative that all governments prioritize the protection and wellbeing of children in line with their best interests and guarantee their access to asylum procedures in a timely manner," the Unicef statement added. In a memorandum issued on June 1, the Secretary of Homeland Security stated that the MPP should be terminated. However, on August 13, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled that the June 1 memo did not comply with the Administrative Procedure Act and ordered DHS to "enforce and implement MPP in good faith." Watch | Mexico: 49 migrants killed, dozens injured in Mexico truck accident As a result of the extensive review conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department issued a new memorandum terminating MPP on October 29. DHS will implement the new memorandum as soon as practicable after the issuance of the final judicial decision vacating the Texas injunction. Till then in compliance with the order, the MPP has been restarted and on Wednesday, US authorities returned the first two migrants to Mexico under the reinstated "Remain in Mexico" policy. (With inputs from agencies)

UNICEF expresses concern over reimplementation of Trump-era 'Remain in Mexico' policy

Disturbing reports of families offering daughters as young as 20 days old for future marriage in return for a dowry have come up from war-torn Afghanistan, said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on Saturday. &nbsp;

UNICEF's partners had also registered 183 child marriages and 10 cases of selling of children between 2018 and 2019 in Herat and Baghdis provinces alone, even before the latest upheaval, said Fore in a statement. These children were aged from six months to 17 years of age. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-afghan-girl-alleges-beating-by-taliban-commander-for-refusing-sex-taliban-post-video-to-refute-claim-429216" hreflang="en">Watch: Afghan girl alleges beating by Taliban commander for refusing sex, Taliban post video to refute claim</a>

"I am deeply concerned by reports that child marriage in Afghanistan is on the rise. We have received credible reports of families offering daughters as young as 20 days old up for future marriage in return for a dowry," she said.&nbsp;

The ongoing food crisis, Covid pandemic, loss of work due to change in government and the onset of winters has worsened the situation. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/one-million-afghan-children-at-risk-of-dying-due-to-acute-malnutrition-who-428916" hreflang="en">One million Afghan children at risk of dying due to acute malnutrition: WHO</a>

In 2020, almost half population of the country lacked basic necessities, such as nutrition or clean water, she said. &nbsp;

"The extremely dire economic situation in Afghanistan is pushing more families deeper into poverty and forcing them to make desperate choices, such as putting children to work and marrying girls off at a young age," she added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Disturbing reports of families offering daughters as young as 20 days old for future marriage in return for a dowry have come up from war-torn Afghanistan, said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on Saturday.

Disturbing reports of families offering daughters as young as 20 days old for future marriage in return for a dowry have come up from war-torn Afghanistan, said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on Saturday. UNICEF's partners had also registered 183 child marriages and 10 cases of selling of children between 2018 and 2019 in Herat and Baghdis provinces alone, even before the latest upheaval, said Fore in a statement. These children were aged from six months to 17 years of age. Also Read: Watch: Afghan girl alleges beating by Taliban commander for refusing sex, Taliban post video to refute claim "I am deeply concerned by reports that child marriage in Afghanistan is on the rise. We have received credible reports of families offering daughters as young as 20 days old up for future marriage in return for a dowry," she said. The ongoing food crisis, Covid pandemic, loss of work due to change in government and the onset of winters has worsened the situation. Also Read: One million Afghan children at risk of dying due to acute malnutrition: WHO In 2020, almost half population of the country lacked basic necessities, such as nutrition or clean water, she said. "The extremely dire economic situation in Afghanistan is pushing more families deeper into poverty and forcing them to make desperate choices, such as putting children to work and marrying girls off at a young age," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Even 20-day-old daughters are being 'sold in marriage' in Afghanistan, says UNICEF official

In what is being termed as the first nationwide campaign in three years, the World Health Organization and the United Nations children's agency have started a polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan in an attempt to fight the disease.&nbsp;

As per WHO, the campaign is aimed at reaching over 3 million children and has received Taliban backing. It would allow teams to reach children in areas which were inaccessible earlier. According to WHO figures compiled before the Taliban took over Afghanistan, there was one reported case of the one wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Afghanistan in 2021, compared with 56 in 2020.

Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, in a statement said, "The urgency with which the Taliban leadership wants the polio campaign to proceed demonstrates a joint commitment to maintain the health system and restart essential immunisations to avert further outbreaks of preventable diseases."&nbsp;

National Emergency Operations Coordinator for the polio programme at Afghanistan's health ministry, Naikwali Shah Momim has highlighted that more training is needed for teams in remote areas. Therefore, the programme would initially start in places such as Kabul.

Afghanistan is one of the last countries in the world with endemic polio. The disease has been virtually eliminated globally through a decades-long inoculation drive.&nbsp;

Several polio workers were killed by gunmen in eastern Afghanistan this year. However, it is not yet clear who was behind the attacks.

Meanwhile, the nation has been struggling to battle poverty as people fear the approach of winter. Various financial institutions suspended their engagement with the country until there was clarity within the international community on the recognition of the government led by the Taliban.

Currently, banks are running out of money, civil servants have not been paid and food prices have surged.&nbsp;

The IMF said that Afghanistan's economy was set to contract up to 30 per cent this year. "Afghanistan is in need of revival on all fronts, and development is the top priority," said Wang.

(With inputs from agencies)

In what is being termed as the first nationwide campaign in three years, the World Health Organization and the United Nations children's agency have started a polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan in an attempt to fight the disease.

In what is being termed as the first nationwide campaign in three years, the World Health Organization and the United Nations children's agency have started a polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan in an attempt to fight the disease. As per WHO, the campaign is aimed at reaching over 3 million children and has received Taliban backing. It would allow teams to reach children in areas which were inaccessible earlier. According to WHO figures compiled before the Taliban took over Afghanistan, there was one reported case of the one wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Afghanistan in 2021, compared with 56 in 2020. Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, in a statement said, "The urgency with which the Taliban leadership wants the polio campaign to proceed demonstrates a joint commitment to maintain the health system and restart essential immunisations to avert further outbreaks of preventable diseases." National Emergency Operations Coordinator for the polio programme at Afghanistan's health ministry, Naikwali Shah Momim has highlighted that more training is needed for teams in remote areas. Therefore, the programme would initially start in places such as Kabul. Afghanistan is one of the last countries in the world with endemic polio. The disease has been virtually eliminated globally through a decades-long inoculation drive. Several polio workers were killed by gunmen in eastern Afghanistan this year. However, it is not yet clear who was behind the attacks. Meanwhile, the nation has been struggling to battle poverty as people fear the approach of winter. Various financial institutions suspended their engagement with the country until there was clarity within the international community on the recognition of the government led by the Taliban. Currently, banks are running out of money, civil servants have not been paid and food prices have surged. The IMF said that Afghanistan's economy was set to contract up to 30 per cent this year. "Afghanistan is in need of revival on all fronts, and development is the top priority," said Wang. (With inputs from agencies)

'A joint commitment': WHO, UNICEF launch polio vaccine campaign in Afghanistan

The United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) is aiming to set up a system to directly fund teachers in Afghanistan without letting that money reach Taliban.<o:p></o:p>

UNICEF told news agency Reuters that the organisation is about to commence registering all public school teachers in Afghanistan, and make sure that the money they donate reaches teachers and young girls.<o:p></o:p>

UNICEF Afghanistan’s chief of Education&nbsp;Jeannette Vogelaar&nbsp;said that the best way to support young girls in getting their education is to support their schools and teachers. "UNICEF is calling upon donors not to let Afghanistan’s children down," she was quoted as saying by Reuters.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-attacks-on-shia-minority-trigger-mass-exodus-to-iran-426615">Afghanistan: Attacks on Shia minority trigger mass exodus to Iran</a></o:p>

This announcement comes at a time when the country has been struggling to stabilise its economy under the rule of terrorist organisation, Taliban. The country has been plunged in economic crisis as the international organisations froze all assets of Afghanistan. The United States (US), World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have also seized loans for the country.<o:p></o:p>

Experts believe that the assets should not be handed over to Taliban as they fear the funds can be misused by the new government.<o:p></o:p>

While Taliban claim they are supporting equal rights for women and girls, local reports from the country tell a different tale. Women have been reporting incidents of torture, oppression and unfair treatment in education sector and employment. Women have been complaining that they are not being allowed to return to work.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-controversy-erupts-over-shipping-container-full-of-coprses-in-kabul-426236">Afghanistan: Controversy erupts over 'shipping container full of coprses' in Kabul</a></o:p>

In schools and universities, girls and women have been asked to attend segregated classes, leave five minutes prior to men to make sure the boys are not tempted, be taught only by female teachers, come to schools fully covered and more.<o:p></o:p>

"We are working especially with UNICEF and some other international organisations…to come up with a good solution…we have meetings on a daily basis," Taliban's director of external programmes and aid at Afghanistan’s ministry of education, Waheedullah Hashimi told Reuters.<o:p></o:p>

The United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) is aiming to set up a system to directly fund teachers in Afghanistan without letting that money reach Taliban. UNICEF told news agency Reuters that the organisation is about to commence registering all public school teachers in Afghanistan, and make sure that the money they donate reaches teachers and young girls.

The United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) is aiming to set up a system to directly fund teachers in Afghanistan without letting that money reach Taliban. UNICEF told news agency Reuters that the organisation is about to commence registering all public school teachers in Afghanistan, and make sure that the money they donate reaches teachers and young girls. UNICEF Afghanistan’s chief of Education Jeannette Vogelaar said that the best way to support young girls in getting their education is to support their schools and teachers. "UNICEF is calling upon donors not to let Afghanistan’s children down," she was quoted as saying by Reuters. Also read | Afghanistan: Attacks on Shia minority trigger mass exodus to Iran This announcement comes at a time when the country has been struggling to stabilise its economy under the rule of terrorist organisation, Taliban. The country has been plunged in economic crisis as the international organisations froze all assets of Afghanistan. The United States (US), World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have also seized loans for the country. Experts believe that the assets should not be handed over to Taliban as they fear the funds can be misused by the new government. While Taliban claim they are supporting equal rights for women and girls, local reports from the country tell a different tale. Women have been reporting incidents of torture, oppression and unfair treatment in education sector and employment. Women have been complaining that they are not being allowed to return to work. Also read | Afghanistan: Controversy erupts over 'shipping container full of coprses' in Kabul In schools and universities, girls and women have been asked to attend segregated classes, leave five minutes prior to men to make sure the boys are not tempted, be taught only by female teachers, come to schools fully covered and more. "We are working especially with UNICEF and some other international organisations…to come up with a good solution…we have meetings on a daily basis," Taliban's director of external programmes and aid at Afghanistan’s ministry of education, Waheedullah Hashimi told Reuters.

UNICEF aiming to fund Afghan school teachers without giving money to Taliban: Report

In an effort to eradicate polio and boost health measures for children in Afghanistan, the Taliban government has agreed to restart a door-to-door vaccination program next month, and will allow women to be frontline workers in the drive, health officials announced Tuesday.

The announcement, by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund, is a breakthrough in a country that has been called the “world’s polio capital,” a place where vaccinators have faced the twin challenges of a lack of access to patients and deadly violence.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-need-in-afghanistan-grows-dire-aid-groups-plead-for-help-417450">As need in Afghanistan grows dire, aid groups plead for help</a>

The five-day nationwide program to distribute the polio vaccine, which is given orally and in multiple doses, will begin Nov. 8, according to officials. The drive aims to reach about 10 million children, according to Dr Hamid Jafari, head of polio eradication for the WHO’s eastern Mediterranean region.

More than 3.3 million children had previously “remained inaccessible to vaccination campaigns,” according to the statement announcing the drive. Children who are 6 months to 59 months old will also be given vitamin A supplements during the campaign, officials said.

Word of the agreement comes as the Taliban have been showing some limited flexibility in dealings with the outside world as the government seeks desperately needed aid amid an ailing economy and increasing food scarcity.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-urge-us-eu-to-end-existing-sanctions-to-avoid-refugee-crisis-420503" hreflang="en">Taliban urge US, EU to 'end existing sanctions' to avoid refugee crisis</a>

“We welcome WHO’s effort to launch its polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan and are ready to help and coordinate,” Bilal Karimi, a Taliban spokesman, said. “Women can also participate in this campaign and work closely with health workers to provide vaccinations to our people.”

In addition to this polio vaccination program, set to start in early November, “all parties have agreed on the need to immediately start measles and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 vaccination</a> campaigns,” the statement from the U.N. and WHO said. A second polio vaccination program in Afghanistan will be synchronized with one in neighboring Pakistan that is scheduled to begin in December, it said.

Half a dozen more vaccination programs are scheduled to begin next year, according to Jafari.

In announcing the vaccination program, health officials said the Taliban “expressed their commitment” to allow women to be frontline workers in the drive and “for providing security and assuring the safety of all health workers across the country.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-beauty-salon-a-safe-haven-for-women-in-talibans-kabul-422222" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-beauty-salon-a-safe-haven-for-women-in-talibans-kabul-422222&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiNrdOC9tjzAhV1gtgFHVUKBP4QFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Ht5fNFOukGXXpuajQtbbx" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-beauty-salon-a-safe-haven-for-women-in-talibans-kabul-422222" target="_blank">In pics | Beauty salon—a safe haven for women in&nbsp;Taliban's&nbsp;Kabul</a>

Jafari said that tens of thousands of women were expected to work in the vaccination effort, as vaccinators, supervisors and managers.

The announcement comes after several attacks on polio vaccinators this year, stifling efforts to inoculate children against the disease. In June, at least five members of two polio vaccination teams were killed in one day during separate attacks in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan. In the same city, three women working for the government’s polio vaccine campaign were shot dead in late March.

“UNICEF is outraged by this attack,” the organization said at the time. “Frontline health workers should never be a target of violence.”

Around the same time of the shootings, there was an explosion at the city’s regional hospital, near the compound where the vaccines are stored, officials said.

While no group took responsibility for these attacks, the Islamic State Khorasan, also known as ISIS-K, was active in the east and had claimed responsibility for similar attacks on women and civil society leaders in the area.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban reward suicide bombers' kin

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-reward-suicide-bombers-kin-422296/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August, two decades after the U.S.-led invasion of the country drove the group from power. The new government has committed to providing protection to health care workers.

Health officials welcomed the Taliban’s support for the program. In the past, the movement expressed skepticism of door-to-door vaccination drives, saying they believed some vaccinators acted as spies in certain parts of the country. Elsewhere, the Taliban allowed vaccinators to carry out their work in districts under their control.

“We’ve been working with them for decades,” Jafari said, noting that the Taliban had controlled large parts of the country during their exile from power. The Taliban “have always been supportive of polio vaccination and eradication,” he said.

Dr. Ahmed al-Mandhari, the WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said, “The urgency with which the Taliban leadership wants the polio campaign to proceed demonstrates a joint commitment to maintain the health system and restart essential immunizations to avert further outbreaks of preventable diseases.”

Restarting this vaccination program, said George Laryea-Adjei, UNICEF’s regional director for South Asia, is “a step closer toward achieving our shared hope of eradicating polio in the region.”

In an effort to eradicate polio and boost health measures for children in Afghanistan, the Taliban government has agreed to restart a door-to-door vaccination program next month, and will allow women to be frontline workers in the drive, health officials announced Tuesday.

In an effort to eradicate polio and boost health measures for children in Afghanistan, the Taliban government has agreed to restart a door-to-door vaccination program next month, and will allow women to be frontline workers in the drive, health officials announced Tuesday. The announcement, by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund, is a breakthrough in a country that has been called the “world’s polio capital,” a place where vaccinators have faced the twin challenges of a lack of access to patients and deadly violence. Also read | As need in Afghanistan grows dire, aid groups plead for help The five-day nationwide program to distribute the polio vaccine, which is given orally and in multiple doses, will begin Nov. 8, according to officials. The drive aims to reach about 10 million children, according to Dr Hamid Jafari, head of polio eradication for the WHO’s eastern Mediterranean region. More than 3.3 million children had previously “remained inaccessible to vaccination campaigns,” according to the statement announcing the drive. Children who are 6 months to 59 months old will also be given vitamin A supplements during the campaign, officials said. Word of the agreement comes as the Taliban have been showing some limited flexibility in dealings with the outside world as the government seeks desperately needed aid amid an ailing economy and increasing food scarcity. Also read | Taliban urge US, EU to 'end existing sanctions' to avoid refugee crisis “We welcome WHO’s effort to launch its polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan and are ready to help and coordinate,” Bilal Karimi, a Taliban spokesman, said. “Women can also participate in this campaign and work closely with health workers to provide vaccinations to our people.” In addition to this polio vaccination program, set to start in early November, “all parties have agreed on the need to immediately start measles and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns,” the statement from the U.N. and WHO said. A second polio vaccination program in Afghanistan will be synchronized with one in neighboring Pakistan that is scheduled to begin in December, it said. Half a dozen more vaccination programs are scheduled to begin next year, according to Jafari. In announcing the vaccination program, health officials said the Taliban “expressed their commitment” to allow women to be frontline workers in the drive and “for providing security and assuring the safety of all health workers across the country.” Also read | In pics | Beauty salon—a safe haven for women in Taliban's Kabul Jafari said that tens of thousands of women were expected to work in the vaccination effort, as vaccinators, supervisors and managers. The announcement comes after several attacks on polio vaccinators this year, stifling efforts to inoculate children against the disease. In June, at least five members of two polio vaccination teams were killed in one day during separate attacks in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan. In the same city, three women working for the government’s polio vaccine campaign were shot dead in late March. “UNICEF is outraged by this attack,” the organization said at the time. “Frontline health workers should never be a target of violence.” Around the same time of the shootings, there was an explosion at the city’s regional hospital, near the compound where the vaccines are stored, officials said. While no group took responsibility for these attacks, the Islamic State Khorasan, also known as ISIS-K, was active in the east and had claimed responsibility for similar attacks on women and civil society leaders in the area. Watch | Taliban reward suicide bombers' kin The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August, two decades after the U.S.-led invasion of the country drove the group from power. The new government has committed to providing protection to health care workers. Health officials welcomed the Taliban’s support for the program. In the past, the movement expressed skepticism of door-to-door vaccination drives, saying they believed some vaccinators acted as spies in certain parts of the country. Elsewhere, the Taliban allowed vaccinators to carry out their work in districts under their control. “We’ve been working with them for decades,” Jafari said, noting that the Taliban had controlled large parts of the country during their exile from power. The Taliban “have always been supportive of polio vaccination and eradication,” he said. Dr. Ahmed al-Mandhari, the WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said, “The urgency with which the Taliban leadership wants the polio campaign to proceed demonstrates a joint commitment to maintain the health system and restart essential immunizations to avert further outbreaks of preventable diseases.” Restarting this vaccination program, said George Laryea-Adjei, UNICEF’s regional director for South Asia, is “a step closer toward achieving our shared hope of eradicating polio in the region.”

Taliban allow polio vaccine programme to restart in Afghanistan

UNICEF’s new ‘State of the World’s Children (SOWC)’ report has revealed that an estimated 14 per cent of India’s young people, aged 15-24 years, reported feeling depressed and uninterested. This comes against an international median of 19 per cent.

The first-ever SOWC report to focus on mental health says, "Fear. Loneliness. Grief. As the coronavirus pandemic descended on the world in 2019, these powerful emotions enveloped the lives of many millions of children, young people and families."

“In the early days especially, many experts feared they would persist, damaging the mental health of a generation. In truth, it will be years before we can really assess the impact of Covid-19 on our mental health.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/immunity-from-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-decreasing-study-418863">Also read |&nbsp;Immunity from Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine decreasing: Study</a>

The survey was carried out in 21 countries in the first half of 2021. It found that Indian youth are less willing to share their feelings of lowness.

“A median of 83 per cent of young people (15 to 24 years old) agreed it was better to deal with mental health problems by sharing experiences with others and seeking support; by contrast, only 15 per cent felt such problems were personal and should be dealt with on one’s own,” says the report.

“Among the 21 countries, India was the only exception, with 41 per cent of young people supporting the sharing option.”&nbsp;

The new revelation comes as a worry because it means that such youngsters are less likely to seek and get professional help and will, therefore, continue to suffer from undiagnosed mental health conditions.&nbsp;

The report analysed more than 13 per cent of the world’s adolescents, aged 10-19, live with a diagnosed mental disorder.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-study-finds-a-big-drop-in-covid-19-antibodies-within-four-months-of-vaccination-412998">Also read |&nbsp;Indian study finds a big drop in COVID-19 antibodies within four months of vaccination</a>

This represents 8.6 crore adolescents aged 15-19 and 8 crore adolescents aged 10-14.

The report argues that the unwillingness to talk about how these children feel rises from the social stigmatisation of mental health conditions. It also talks of instances of such stigma across the world.

It says, "Children do not learn to stigmatise mental health conditions on their own; many mirror behaviours they see in the world around them. For example, a cross-sectional study of 566 secondary school teachers in South India found that nearly 70 per cent believed that depression was weakness, not sickness, and that it was unpredictable but not dangerous."

UNICEF’s new ‘State of the World’s Children (SOWC)’ report has revealed that an estimated 14 per cent of India’s young people, aged 15-24 years, reported feeling depressed and uninterested.

UNICEF’s new ‘State of the World’s Children (SOWC)’ report has revealed that an estimated 14 per cent of India’s young people, aged 15-24 years, reported feeling depressed and uninterested. This comes against an international median of 19 per cent. The first-ever SOWC report to focus on mental health says, "Fear. Loneliness. Grief. As the coronavirus pandemic descended on the world in 2019, these powerful emotions enveloped the lives of many millions of children, young people and families." “In the early days especially, many experts feared they would persist, damaging the mental health of a generation. In truth, it will be years before we can really assess the impact of Covid-19 on our mental health.” Also read | Immunity from Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine decreasing: Study The survey was carried out in 21 countries in the first half of 2021. It found that Indian youth are less willing to share their feelings of lowness. “A median of 83 per cent of young people (15 to 24 years old) agreed it was better to deal with mental health problems by sharing experiences with others and seeking support; by contrast, only 15 per cent felt such problems were personal and should be dealt with on one’s own,” says the report. “Among the 21 countries, India was the only exception, with 41 per cent of young people supporting the sharing option.” The new revelation comes as a worry because it means that such youngsters are less likely to seek and get professional help and will, therefore, continue to suffer from undiagnosed mental health conditions. The report analysed more than 13 per cent of the world’s adolescents, aged 10-19, live with a diagnosed mental disorder. Also read | Indian study finds a big drop in COVID-19 antibodies within four months of vaccination This represents 8.6 crore adolescents aged 15-19 and 8 crore adolescents aged 10-14. The report argues that the unwillingness to talk about how these children feel rises from the social stigmatisation of mental health conditions. It also talks of instances of such stigma across the world. It says, "Children do not learn to stigmatise mental health conditions on their own; many mirror behaviours they see in the world around them. For example, a cross-sectional study of 566 secondary school teachers in South India found that nearly 70 per cent believed that depression was weakness, not sickness, and that it was unpredictable but not dangerous."

14 per cent youngsters depressed in India due to COVID-19: UNICEF

UNICEF said that nearly 3.2 million children under the age of five in Afghanistan may suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year.

The UN body made the assessment after UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan, Hervé Ludovic De Lys, and World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan representative and country Director, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, visited Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/find-common-ground-pm-johnsons-envoy-meets-taliban-in-afghanistan-418593">Also Read:&nbsp;PM Johnson's envoy meets Taliban in Afghanistan</a>

The officials said at least 1 million children in Afghanistan are at risk of dying "due to severe acute malnutrition without immediate treatment."

In a worrying development, WFP survey had revealed that 95 per cent of households in Afghanistan are not consuming enough food with adults skipping meals so that their children can eat properly.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-faces-winter-blackout-as-taliban-unable-to-pay-electricity-suppliers-report-418292">Also Read:&nbsp;Kabul faces winter blackout as Taliban unable to pay electricity suppliers</a>

McGroarty and De Lys visited Herat and met families in the area as they assessed the food distribution centres.

The UN agencies are currently involved in setting up mobile health units and nutrition teams for children and mothers.

Mary-Ellen McGroarty said Afghans are making "desperate choices" for their families while calling on the international community to release the funds which were pledged earlier.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-remove-uyghur-militants-along-chinas-border-report-418561">Also Read:&nbsp;Taliban remove Uyghur militants along China's border</a>

UN chief Antonio Guterres had also urged the international community to engage with the Taliban to provide a "lifeline" for Afghans even as McGroarty said if it is not done then the&nbsp;"impact could be irreversible".

(With inputs from Agencies)

UNICEF said that nearly 3.2 million children under the age of five in Afghanistan may suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year. The UN body made the assessment after UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan, Hervé Ludovic De Lys, and World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan representative and country Director, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, visited Afghanistan.

UNICEF said that nearly 3.2 million children under the age of five in Afghanistan may suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year. The UN body made the assessment after UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan, Hervé Ludovic De Lys, and World Food Programme (WFP) Afghanistan representative and country Director, Mary-Ellen McGroarty, visited Afghanistan. Also Read: PM Johnson's envoy meets Taliban in Afghanistan The officials said at least 1 million children in Afghanistan are at risk of dying "due to severe acute malnutrition without immediate treatment." In a worrying development, WFP survey had revealed that 95 per cent of households in Afghanistan are not consuming enough food with adults skipping meals so that their children can eat properly. Also Read: Kabul faces winter blackout as Taliban unable to pay electricity suppliers McGroarty and De Lys visited Herat and met families in the area as they assessed the food distribution centres. The UN agencies are currently involved in setting up mobile health units and nutrition teams for children and mothers. Mary-Ellen McGroarty said Afghans are making "desperate choices" for their families while calling on the international community to release the funds which were pledged earlier. Also Read: Taliban remove Uyghur militants along China's border UN chief Antonio Guterres had also urged the international community to engage with the Taliban to provide a "lifeline" for Afghans even as McGroarty said if it is not done then the "impact could be irreversible". (With inputs from Agencies)

1 million Afghan children at risk of dying due to acute malnutrition: UN officials

A UNICEF report has again brought the glaring issue of malnutrition to the fore. In a report published on Wednesday, the UN’s children’s agency, said around one third of children under the age of two years in many developing countries are given diet, which is needed for healthy growth. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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In the last decade, no progress has been made on improving their nutrition, the report said. The revelation has come as the UN’s food security summit is going to start on Thursday. &nbsp;

For deplorable condition of children’s nutrition in 91 countries, it holds several issues, such as conflict, COVID-19 and climate breakdown, responsible.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/put-uk-on-covid-high-alert-as-over-100000-kids-go-absent-from-school-warn-headteachers-415010" hreflang="en">Put UK on Covid 'high alert' as over 100,000 kids go absent from school, warn headteachers</a>&nbsp;

Around 50% children aged between six and 23 months in several developing countries were not given the minimum number of meals daily and even fewer had a diet that met least requirement, said the report. &nbsp;

The UNICEF UK said the British government can help tackle the problem by investing in nutrition. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/some-rich-people-are-counting-their-antibodies-like-calories-415009" hreflang="en">Some rich people are counting their antibodies ‘like calories’</a>

UNICEF UK’s senior policy adviser on child health, Jenny Vaughan, said, “Millions of children around the world are affected by the life-limiting outcomes of poor nutrition.” &nbsp;

“By investing £600m to reach 50 million children over the next five years with nutrition-relevant programmes, the UK government would be making a significant contribution to addressing this problem and put millions of children on a path to healthier and brighter futures,” added Vaughan. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A UNICEF report has again brought the glaring issue of malnutrition to the fore. In a report published on Wednesday, the UN’s children’s agency, said around one third of children under the age of two years in many developing countries are given diet, which is needed for healthy growth.

A UNICEF report has again brought the glaring issue of malnutrition to the fore. In a report published on Wednesday, the UN’s children’s agency, said around one third of children under the age of two years in many developing countries are given diet, which is needed for healthy growth. Watch: × In the last decade, no progress has been made on improving their nutrition, the report said. The revelation has come as the UN’s food security summit is going to start on Thursday. For deplorable condition of children’s nutrition in 91 countries, it holds several issues, such as conflict, COVID-19 and climate breakdown, responsible. Also Read: Put UK on Covid 'high alert' as over 100,000 kids go absent from school, warn headteachers Around 50% children aged between six and 23 months in several developing countries were not given the minimum number of meals daily and even fewer had a diet that met least requirement, said the report. The UNICEF UK said the British government can help tackle the problem by investing in nutrition. Also Read: Some rich people are counting their antibodies ‘like calories’ UNICEF UK’s senior policy adviser on child health, Jenny Vaughan, said, “Millions of children around the world are affected by the life-limiting outcomes of poor nutrition.” “By investing £600m to reach 50 million children over the next five years with nutrition-relevant programmes, the UK government would be making a significant contribution to addressing this problem and put millions of children on a path to healthier and brighter futures,” added Vaughan. (With inputs from agencies)

One third kids under two years of age in developing countries are nourished, says UNICEF

Globally, nearly half of the 2.2 billion children&nbsp;are at serious risk due to climate change, according to a new UNICEF report.

The report found that almost every child today faces the threat of one of these events; heatwaves, floods, cyclones, disease, droughts, and air pollution.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-for-real-glacier-melts-makes-swedish-peak-shrink-by-2-metres-in-a-year-406593" hreflang="en">Climate change&nbsp;for real?&nbsp;Glacier melts, makes&nbsp;Swedish peak shrink by&nbsp;2 metres&nbsp;in a year</a>

1 billion children in 33 countries, however, are experiencing more than one of these simultaneously. Among the most vulnerable countries are India, Nigeria, the Philippines, and most of sub-Saharan Africa.

This report is the first one to combine high-resolution maps of environmental impacts with maps depicting child vulnerability such as poverty, health care access, access to clean water and education.&nbsp;

Nick Rees, one of the report's authors, said that it essentially shows the likelihood of children surviving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/climate-change">climate change</a>.

The report was released on the third anniversary of Greta Thunberg's historic first school strike that ignited the global climate movement.

A key aspect of this report is that it emphasises the necessity of involving young people in all climate negotiations and decisions, including during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow in November.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/humans-pushing-planet-towards-tipping-point-global-citizens-concerned-406315" hreflang="en">Humans pushing planet towards 'tipping point'; Global citizens concerned</a>

Thunberg, 18, said the&nbsp;UNICEF&nbsp;index confirmed children would be the worst affected, and when world leaders meet in Glasgow in November for COP26 they needed to act rather than just talk.

The report stated that climate crisis impacts were deeply inequitable, with a high chance of getting worse.&nbsp;

Rees estimates that the top ten countries at extremely high risk account for 0.5 per cent&nbsp;of global emissions.

Henrietta Fore,&nbsp;UNICEF&nbsp;executive director&nbsp;highlighted a survey by the organisation which found 9 out of 10 young people in 21 countries felt it was their responsibility to help tackle climate change.&nbsp;

Young people were leading by example, she said, adding that, compared to adults, children faced greater risks in the "increasingly unrecognisable" world they would inherit.&nbsp;They are less likely to be able to withstand extreme weather events and will be more susceptible to toxic chemicals, diseases and temperature changes.

(With inputs from agencies)

Globally, nearly half of the 2.2 billion children are at serious risk due to climate change, according to a new UNICEF report. The report found that almost every child today faces the threat of one of these events; heatwaves, floods, cyclones, disease, droughts, and air pollution.

Globally, nearly half of the 2.2 billion children are at serious risk due to climate change, according to a new UNICEF report. The report found that almost every child today faces the threat of one of these events; heatwaves, floods, cyclones, disease, droughts, and air pollution. Also read | Climate change for real? Glacier melts, makes Swedish peak shrink by 2 metres in a year 1 billion children in 33 countries, however, are experiencing more than one of these simultaneously. Among the most vulnerable countries are India, Nigeria, the Philippines, and most of sub-Saharan Africa. This report is the first one to combine high-resolution maps of environmental impacts with maps depicting child vulnerability such as poverty, health care access, access to clean water and education. Nick Rees, one of the report's authors, said that it essentially shows the likelihood of children surviving climate change. The report was released on the third anniversary of Greta Thunberg's historic first school strike that ignited the global climate movement. A key aspect of this report is that it emphasises the necessity of involving young people in all climate negotiations and decisions, including during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow in November. Also read | Humans pushing planet towards 'tipping point'; Global citizens concerned Thunberg, 18, said the UNICEF index confirmed children would be the worst affected, and when world leaders meet in Glasgow in November for COP26 they needed to act rather than just talk. The report stated that climate crisis impacts were deeply inequitable, with a high chance of getting worse. Rees estimates that the top ten countries at extremely high risk account for 0.5 per cent of global emissions. Henrietta Fore, UNICEF executive director highlighted a survey by the organisation which found 9 out of 10 young people in 21 countries felt it was their responsibility to help tackle climate change. Young people were leading by example, she said, adding that, compared to adults, children faced greater risks in the "increasingly unrecognisable" world they would inherit. They are less likely to be able to withstand extreme weather events and will be more susceptible to toxic chemicals, diseases and temperature changes. (With inputs from agencies)

UNICEF report finds that virtually no child will escape the impact of global warming

The United Nations children's agency said on Friday that more than 100,000 children in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray could suffer life-threatening malnutrition in the next 12 months, a 10-fold increase to normal numbers.

More than 100,000 children in Ethiopia's Tigray could die of hunger: UNICEF

Local officials in Sudan's Kassala province have discovered approximately 50 dead bodies floating on the river between Ethiopia and Sudan during the last week, some with gunshot wounds or their hands bound, probably individuals escaping the violence in the neighbouring Tigray area.

A Sudanese official said that forensic investigation is needed to determine the causes of death.

Two Ethiopian health workers in Hamdayet, a Sudan border town, reported witnessing the remains discovered in the Setit River, also known as the Tekeze in Ethiopia. 
 
Watch | Tigray rebel forces seize major town in new offensive

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The river runs through some of the most problematic sections of Tigray's nine-month conflict, where ethnic Tigrayans accuse Ethiopian and coalition forces of crimes while fighting Tigray forces.

Setit River is the current de facto borderline between territory controlled by Tigrayan forces and those controlled by Amhara forces allied with Ethiopia's federal government.

Ethiopia's central government and Tigray's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, went to war eight months ago.

Amhara troops linked to the central government have been accused of dumping dead in Tigray, which they deny.

(With inputs from agencies)

Local officials in Sudan's Kassala province have discovered approximately 50 dead bodies floating on the river between Ethiopia and Sudan during the last week, some with gunshot wounds or their hands bound, probably individuals escaping the violence in the neighbouring Tigray area.

Local officials in Sudan's Kassala province have discovered approximately 50 dead bodies floating on the river between Ethiopia and Sudan during the last week, some with gunshot wounds or their hands bound, probably individuals escaping the violence in the neighbouring Tigray area. A Sudanese official said that forensic investigation is needed to determine the causes of death. Two Ethiopian health workers in Hamdayet, a Sudan border town, reported witnessing the remains discovered in the Setit River, also known as the Tekeze in Ethiopia. Watch | Tigray rebel forces seize major town in new offensive The river runs through some of the most problematic sections of Tigray's nine-month conflict, where ethnic Tigrayans accuse Ethiopian and coalition forces of crimes while fighting Tigray forces. Setit River is the current de facto borderline between territory controlled by Tigrayan forces and those controlled by Amhara forces allied with Ethiopia's federal government. Ethiopia's central government and Tigray's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, went to war eight months ago. Amhara troops linked to the central government have been accused of dumping dead in Tigray, which they deny. (With inputs from agencies)

Tigray conflict: 50 corpses, many with hands tied found floating in Setit river

The United Nations children's agency said on Friday that more than 100,000 children in Ethiopia's northern region of&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;could suffer life-threatening malnutrition in the next 12 months, a 10-fold increase to normal numbers.

UNICEF spokesperson Marixie Mercado said that one-in-two pregnant and breastfeeding women screened in&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;were acutely malnourished.

"Our worst fears about the health and well-being of children... are being confirmed," she told a briefing in Geneva.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/400000-people-facing-famine-in-war-torn-tigray-says-un-395470">400,000 people facing famine in war-torn Tigray, says UN</a>

Spokespeople for the prime minister and a government task force on&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;- where fighting between rebellious regional and federal forces have continued since November - did not immediately respond to requests for comment on UNICEF's statement.

Babies like 20-month-old Aammanuel Merhawi are suffering the most. He is a third below normal weight for his age. His feverish eyes glisten and his ribs are visible as he heaves, vomiting supplementary food fed through a nasal tube. All are signs of severe malnutrition.

"My milk dried up," his mother, Brkti Gebrehiwot, told Reuters at Wukro General Hospital in northern&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;on July 11.

Famine Conditions

Aid agencies say they are about to run out of the formula used to treat 4,000 severely malnourished children every month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-offers-prayers-for-famine-hit-tigray-391172">Pope offers prayers for famine-hit Tigray</a>

At least three children have died in Wukro hospital since February, nurse Tsehaynesh Gebrehiwot said.

She provided their medical records: four-month-old Awet Gebreslassie weighed 2.6 kilogrammes (5.7 lb), a third of normal weight; one-year-old Robel Gebrezgiher weighed 2 kgs, less than a quarter of normal weight; and Kisanet Hogus, also a year old, weighed 5 kgs - just over half of normal weight.

All died within days of admission.

In Adigrat General Hospital further north, Reuters saw medical records confirming the death of three more malnourished children.

Doctors in both hospitals said they saw between four to 10 severely malnourished children monthly before the conflict erupted in November. Now numbers have more than doubled.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-analysis-about-350000-people-in-ethiopias-tigray-in-famine-390882">UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine</a>

The UN&nbsp;says that around 400,000 people are living in famine conditions in&nbsp;Tigray, and more than 90 per cent&nbsp;of the population needs emergency food aid.

In a statement on Thursday evening, the Ethiopian government blamed&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;regional forces for blocking aid and said it had stockpiled reserve wheat in the region. It gave no details on the stockpile's location or plans for distribution.

The TPLF was unavailable for comment but has previously said it welcomes aid.

The UN&nbsp;says&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;needs 100 trucks of food daily to prevent mass starvation; only one 50-truck convoy has gotten through in the past month.

The United Nations children's agency said on Friday that more than 100,000 children in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray could suffer life-threatening malnutrition in the next 12 months, a 10-fold increase to normal numbers. UNICEF spokesperson Marixie Mercado said that one-in-two pregnant and breastfeeding women screened in Tigray were acutely malnourished. "Our worst fears about the health and well-being of children... are being confirmed," she told a briefing in Geneva. Also read | 400,000 people facing famine in war-torn Tigray, says UN Spokespeople for the prime minister and a government task force on Tigray - where fighting between rebellious regional and federal forces have continued since November - did not immediately respond to requests for comment on UNICEF's statement. Babies like 20-month-old Aammanuel Merhawi are suffering the most. He is a third below normal weight for his age. His feverish eyes glisten and his ribs are visible as he heaves, vomiting supplementary food fed through a nasal tube. All are signs of severe malnutrition. "My milk dried up," his mother, Brkti Gebrehiwot, told Reuters at Wukro General Hospital in northern Tigray on July 11. Famine Conditions Aid agencies say they are about to run out of the formula used to treat 4,000 severely malnourished children every month. Also read | Pope offers prayers for famine-hit Tigray At least three children have died in Wukro hospital since February, nurse Tsehaynesh Gebrehiwot said. She provided their medical records: four-month-old Awet Gebreslassie weighed 2.6 kilogrammes (5.7 lb), a third of normal weight; one-year-old Robel Gebrezgiher weighed 2 kgs, less than a quarter of normal weight; and Kisanet Hogus, also a year old, weighed 5 kgs - just over half of normal weight. All died within days of admission. In Adigrat General Hospital further north, Reuters saw medical records confirming the death of three more malnourished children. Doctors in both hospitals said they saw between four to 10 severely malnourished children monthly before the conflict erupted in November. Now numbers have more than doubled. Also read | UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine The UN says that around 400,000 people are living in famine conditions in Tigray, and more than 90 per cent of the population needs emergency food aid. In a statement on Thursday evening, the Ethiopian government blamed Tigray regional forces for blocking aid and said it had stockpiled reserve wheat in the region. It gave no details on the stockpile's location or plans for distribution. The TPLF was unavailable for comment but has previously said it welcomes aid. The UN says Tigray needs 100 trucks of food daily to prevent mass starvation; only one 50-truck convoy has gotten through in the past month.

More than four million people, including one million refugees, are at an immediate risk of losing access to safe water in Lebanon. With the rapidly escalating economic crisis, shortages of funding, fuel and supplies such as chlorine and spare parts,

UNICEF has estimated that most water pumping will gradually cease across the country in the next four to six weeks.

Yukie Mokuo, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, in a statement said, "The water sector is being squeezed to destruction by the current economic crisis in Lebanon, unable to function due to the dollarised maintenance costs, water loss caused by non-revenue water, the parallel collapse of the power grid and the threat of rising fuel costs".

"A loss of access to the public water supply could force households to make extremely difficult decisions regarding their basic water, sanitation and hygiene needs".

As per UNICEF, if the public water supply collapses, water costs could skyrocket by 200 per cent a month.

For Lebanon’s extremely vulnerable households, this cost will be too much to bear as it represents 263 per cent of the monthly average income.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-few-days-away-from-social-explosion-pm-diab-396317">Also read |&nbsp;Lebanon few days away from social explosion: PM Diab</a>

According to a UNICEF-supported assessment based on data collected by the country’s four main public water utility companies, more than 71 per cent of people fall within ‘highly critical’ and ‘critical’ levels of vulnerability. Also, nearly 1.7 million people have access to only 35 litres a day. This is a decrease of almost 80 per cent against the national average of 165 litres pre-2020.&nbsp;

Yukie Mokuo said, "At the height of the summer months, with COVID-19 cases beginning to rise again due to the Delta variant, Lebanon’s precious public water system is on life support and could collapse at any moment". She further added, "Unless urgent action is taken, hospitals, schools and essential public facilities will be unable to function and over four million people will be forced to resort to unsafe and costly sources of water, putting children’s health and hygiene at risk. The immediate adverse effect would be on public health. Hygiene would be compromised, and Lebanon would see an increase in diseases. Women and adolescent girls would face particular challenges to their personal hygiene, protection and dignity without access to safe sanitation”.

UNICEF needs a total of US$40 million a year to keep the water flowing to over four million people across the country. This can only be done by securing the minimum levels of fuel, chlorine, spare parts and maintenance required to keep critical systems operational.&nbsp;

More than four million people, including one million refugees, are at an immediate risk of losing access to safe water in Lebanon. With the rapidly escalating economic crisis, shortages of funding, fuel and supplies such as chlorine and spare parts, UNICEF has estimated that most water pumping will gradually cease across the country in the next four to six weeks.

More than four million people, including one million refugees, are at an immediate risk of losing access to safe water in Lebanon. With the rapidly escalating economic crisis, shortages of funding, fuel and supplies such as chlorine and spare parts, UNICEF has estimated that most water pumping will gradually cease across the country in the next four to six weeks. Yukie Mokuo, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, in a statement said, "The water sector is being squeezed to destruction by the current economic crisis in Lebanon, unable to function due to the dollarised maintenance costs, water loss caused by non-revenue water, the parallel collapse of the power grid and the threat of rising fuel costs". "A loss of access to the public water supply could force households to make extremely difficult decisions regarding their basic water, sanitation and hygiene needs". As per UNICEF, if the public water supply collapses, water costs could skyrocket by 200 per cent a month. For Lebanon’s extremely vulnerable households, this cost will be too much to bear as it represents 263 per cent of the monthly average income. Also read | Lebanon few days away from social explosion: PM Diab According to a UNICEF-supported assessment based on data collected by the country’s four main public water utility companies, more than 71 per cent of people fall within ‘highly critical’ and ‘critical’ levels of vulnerability. Also, nearly 1.7 million people have access to only 35 litres a day. This is a decrease of almost 80 per cent against the national average of 165 litres pre-2020. Yukie Mokuo said, "At the height of the summer months, with COVID-19 cases beginning to rise again due to the Delta variant, Lebanon’s precious public water system is on life support and could collapse at any moment". She further added, "Unless urgent action is taken, hospitals, schools and essential public facilities will be unable to function and over four million people will be forced to resort to unsafe and costly sources of water, putting children’s health and hygiene at risk. The immediate adverse effect would be on public health. Hygiene would be compromised, and Lebanon would see an increase in diseases. Women and adolescent girls would face particular challenges to their personal hygiene, protection and dignity without access to safe sanitation”. UNICEF needs a total of US$40 million a year to keep the water flowing to over four million people across the country. This can only be done by securing the minimum levels of fuel, chlorine, spare parts and maintenance required to keep critical systems operational.

Lebanon's public water system on the verge of collapse, warns UNICEF

The head of UNICEF on Monday asked G7 countries to donate supplies to the COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme as an emergency measure to address a severe shortfall caused by disruption to Indian vaccine exports.&nbsp;

India has curbed exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine made by its Serum Institute, which had been pledged to COVAX, to be used by the country as it battles a massive second wave of infections.&nbsp;

UN agency UNICEF, which is in charge of supplying coronavirus vaccines through COVAX, estimates the supply shortfall at 140 million doses by the end of May and about 190 million by the end of June.&nbsp;

"Sharing immediately available excess doses is a minimum, essential and emergency stop-gap measure, and it is needed right now," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, adding that this could help to prevent vulnerable countries from becoming the next global hotspot.&nbsp;

As G7 leaders prepare to meet in Britain next month, the head of the World Health Organization last week denounced the 'moral catastrophe' of vaccine inequity, urging wealthy countries to donate doses rather than use them for children, who are less vulnerable to severe disease.&nbsp;

Citing new research from scientific information and analytics company Airfinity, UNICEF's Fore said that G7 countries could donate about 153 million doses if they shared only 20% of their available supply over June, July and August.&nbsp;

This could be done while still meeting commitments to vaccinate their own populations, she said, without providing further detail.&nbsp;

COVAX, run jointly by the WHO and the GAVI vaccine alliance, relies heavily on the AstraZeneca shot, which accounts for the bulk of the vaccines earmarked for early rollout as it seeks to provide two billion doses this year. &nbsp;

UNICEF said that other manufacturing limitations outside India had also slowed supply of COVAX doses but those delays are expected to be resolved by the end of June.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

The head of UNICEF on Monday asked G7 countries to donate supplies to the COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme as an emergency measure to address a severe shortfall caused by disruption to Indian vaccine exports.

The head of UNICEF on Monday asked G7 countries to donate supplies to the COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme as an emergency measure to address a severe shortfall caused by disruption to Indian vaccine exports. India has curbed exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine made by its Serum Institute, which had been pledged to COVAX, to be used by the country as it battles a massive second wave of infections. UN agency UNICEF, which is in charge of supplying coronavirus vaccines through COVAX, estimates the supply shortfall at 140 million doses by the end of May and about 190 million by the end of June. "Sharing immediately available excess doses is a minimum, essential and emergency stop-gap measure, and it is needed right now," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, adding that this could help to prevent vulnerable countries from becoming the next global hotspot. As G7 leaders prepare to meet in Britain next month, the head of the World Health Organization last week denounced the 'moral catastrophe' of vaccine inequity, urging wealthy countries to donate doses rather than use them for children, who are less vulnerable to severe disease. Citing new research from scientific information and analytics company Airfinity, UNICEF's Fore said that G7 countries could donate about 153 million doses if they shared only 20% of their available supply over June, July and August. This could be done while still meeting commitments to vaccinate their own populations, she said, without providing further detail. COVAX, run jointly by the WHO and the GAVI vaccine alliance, relies heavily on the AstraZeneca shot, which accounts for the bulk of the vaccines earmarked for early rollout as it seeks to provide two billion doses this year. UNICEF said that other manufacturing limitations outside India had also slowed supply of COVAX doses but those delays are expected to be resolved by the end of June. (With inputs from agencies)

G7 urged to donate 'emergency' supplies to vaccine-sharing scheme 

Apex court judge and chairperson of the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee S Ravindra Bhat Saturday said there was a need to step up measures to ensure better care, protection and well-being of children during the second wave of COVID-19.

He made the remarks during a review meeting held by the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Supreme Court to take stock of actions taken by various states on care, protection and wellbeing of children during this COVID-19 wave.

In the meeting, held in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), possible measures and actions that need to be taken to ensure that every child in need gets appropriate care and protection during this time, were also deliberated upon.

Bhat said some children have lost either one or both parents to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> and there are many without parental supervision and care when their parents are in hospital or under medical care.

"These children are more vulnerable now than ever before. Concerted efforts should be made by all the key stakeholders to ensure the care and protection of children during the second wave of COVID," he said.

He suggested developing a mechanism to address interim care and needs of orphan, separated, or unaccompanied children, including clear guidance on steps to be taken in the event such a child has been exposed or has symptoms of the virus and requires a period of isolation and treatment.

He further emphasised that caregivers and employees of care institutions - both government-managed and private - should be vaccinated, as frontline professionals and also that the services of these institutions should be declared as essential services.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/children-spread-coronavirus-more-efficiently-than-adults-study-383559">Children spread coronavirus 'more efficiently' than adults: Study</a>

Some key priorities outlined by Justice Bhat were - screening and medical care for the children in the institutional care, provision of emergency medicine, supplies, emergency access to hospitals, and a roster of doctors available for teleconsultation,&nbsp;and on priority&nbsp;vaccination of all staff working in the Child Care Institutions and other frontline Child Protection workers.

Nomination of state and district level nodal officers empowered to take decisions and constitute a task force for rapid emergency response for children during COVID-19 was also highlighted.

On the needs of orphaned children, he reiterated that a coordinated response, in each district, by a committee to ensure temporary foster homes as well as gather and secure all information relating to the deceased parent or parents, for future use should be set up.

Each district CWC should compile all the details of such children, and their needs, it was emphasised.

Justice Bhat also stated that "prevention of and response to the second wave of COVID surge requires close coordination and collaboration between child protection system and health system, a multi-sectoral response ensures that children and caregivers' needs are addressed holistically and it leads to a better outcome for children".

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indias-covid-surge-why-children-could-be-at-risk-383575/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In the review meeting, judges of all high courts and officials of various states and union territories presented the measures which are being undertaken for the care, protection, and well-being of the children during the second wave of COVID.

Some of the measures by the state and union territories were setting up a state-level nodal officers and district task force for rapid response for care and protection children during the current pandemic, sponsorship for the children lost parents or the bread earners lost income or facing economic hardship.

High Court juvenile justice committees represented by judges, as well as state and union territories also highlighted the measures they are taking to stop the spread of COVID-19 in child care institutions and the medical treatment and care of the children who contracted the disease.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-in-india-3rd-wave-may-hit-kids-mumbai-prepares-pediatric-wards-382729">Covid in India: 3rd wave may hit kids, Mumbai prepares pediatric wards</a>

Aastha Khatwani, joint secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, said, "Considering the emergency need, the ministry has issued the advisory to stop illegal adoption and care and protection of the children who have lost one either or both the parents to COVID."

She further added that the ministry has developed clear, coordinated, easy to understand, community messaging on children's unique risks, vulnerabilities and need of care and protection during COVID-19, and these messages are disseminated and broadcast through social media and other channels.

Vandhana Kandhari, child protection specialist of UNICEF India highlighted that "efforts to pre-emptively scale up the capacity of family-based care and social protection systems are critical to enhance family resilience and prevent unnecessary recourse to residential care".

Kandhari added that in order to provide interim care to the children, extended family members, trusted friends, good neighbours and or community members can be declared a 'fit person'.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/novavax-starts-covid-vaccine-trials-on-children-382694">Novavax starts Covid vaccine trials on children</a>

The review meeting was held with the chairpersons and members of juvenile justice committees of various high courts and was also attended by officials of Departments of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare and Health from various states and union territories.

Apex court judge and chairperson of the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee S Ravindra Bhat Saturday said there was a need to step up measures to ensure better care, protection and well-being of children during the second wave of COVID-19.

Apex court judge and chairperson of the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee S Ravindra Bhat Saturday said there was a need to step up measures to ensure better care, protection and well-being of children during the second wave of COVID-19. He made the remarks during a review meeting held by the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Supreme Court to take stock of actions taken by various states on care, protection and wellbeing of children during this COVID-19 wave. In the meeting, held in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), possible measures and actions that need to be taken to ensure that every child in need gets appropriate care and protection during this time, were also deliberated upon. Bhat said some children have lost either one or both parents to COVID-19 and there are many without parental supervision and care when their parents are in hospital or under medical care. "These children are more vulnerable now than ever before. Concerted efforts should be made by all the key stakeholders to ensure the care and protection of children during the second wave of COVID," he said. He suggested developing a mechanism to address interim care and needs of orphan, separated, or unaccompanied children, including clear guidance on steps to be taken in the event such a child has been exposed or has symptoms of the virus and requires a period of isolation and treatment. He further emphasised that caregivers and employees of care institutions - both government-managed and private - should be vaccinated, as frontline professionals and also that the services of these institutions should be declared as essential services. Also read | Children spread coronavirus 'more efficiently' than adults: Study Some key priorities outlined by Justice Bhat were - screening and medical care for the children in the institutional care, provision of emergency medicine, supplies, emergency access to hospitals, and a roster of doctors available for teleconsultation, and on priority vaccination of all staff working in the Child Care Institutions and other frontline Child Protection workers. Nomination of state and district level nodal officers empowered to take decisions and constitute a task force for rapid emergency response for children during COVID-19 was also highlighted. On the needs of orphaned children, he reiterated that a coordinated response, in each district, by a committee to ensure temporary foster homes as well as gather and secure all information relating to the deceased parent or parents, for future use should be set up. Each district CWC should compile all the details of such children, and their needs, it was emphasised. Justice Bhat also stated that "prevention of and response to the second wave of COVID surge requires close coordination and collaboration between child protection system and health system, a multi-sectoral response ensures that children and caregivers' needs are addressed holistically and it leads to a better outcome for children". In the review meeting, judges of all high courts and officials of various states and union territories presented the measures which are being undertaken for the care, protection, and well-being of the children during the second wave of COVID. Some of the measures by the state and union territories were setting up a state-level nodal officers and district task force for rapid response for care and protection children during the current pandemic, sponsorship for the children lost parents or the bread earners lost income or facing economic hardship. High Court juvenile justice committees represented by judges, as well as state and union territories also highlighted the measures they are taking to stop the spread of COVID-19 in child care institutions and the medical treatment and care of the children who contracted the disease. Also read | Covid in India: 3rd wave may hit kids, Mumbai prepares pediatric wards Aastha Khatwani, joint secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, said, "Considering the emergency need, the ministry has issued the advisory to stop illegal adoption and care and protection of the children who have lost one either or both the parents to COVID." She further added that the ministry has developed clear, coordinated, easy to understand, community messaging on children's unique risks, vulnerabilities and need of care and protection during COVID-19, and these messages are disseminated and broadcast through social media and other channels. Vandhana Kandhari, child protection specialist of UNICEF India highlighted that "efforts to pre-emptively scale up the capacity of family-based care and social protection systems are critical to enhance family resilience and prevent unnecessary recourse to residential care". Kandhari added that in order to provide interim care to the children, extended family members, trusted friends, good neighbours and or community members can be declared a 'fit person'. Also read | Novavax starts Covid vaccine trials on children The review meeting was held with the chairpersons and members of juvenile justice committees of various high courts and was also attended by officials of Departments of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare and Health from various states and union territories.

Need to step up measures for well-being, protection of children during COVID-19 second wave: SC judge

We see advertisements everywhere, from movie theatres to YouTube videos. Advertisements are extremely powerful as they leave a lasting impression on us. Due to this, it is important that ads say all the right things. However, sometimes they do not.

A UNICEF study has found that Indian advertisements reinforce gender bias and stereotypes.

Advertisements make cameos on our television sets as they are very rarely longer than a few seconds. However, those few seconds are enough to plant an idea in one’s brain and spur change.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indian-ads-reinforce-gender-stereotypes-379605">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indian-ads-reinforce-gender-stereotypes-379605/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, the consequences can be serious if the idea of the advertisement is flawed. A UNICEF study has found that India is facing this exact problem as it set to find out the representation of women in advertisements.

As per the raw data accumulated by UNICEF, 49.6 per cent of characters in ads are women but they make up nearly 60 per cent of the screen time and 56 per cent of speaking time.

However, the problem is that women appear in Indian ads mostly to sell domestic and beauty products only. So, these numbers are a sign of deep-seated stereotypes as women, apparently, still belong in kitchen as per these advertisements.

These stereotypical advertisements are being consumed by the Indian youth, which is extending these stereotypes across generations.

Indian ads focus more on looks than messaging and once again it is a different yardstick for women. They are nine times more likely to be presented as 'stunning or attractive' and six times more likely to be shown in revealing clothes. Women are four times more likely to be depicted as partially nude and five times more likely to be sexually objectified.

The bottom line is that while men are brand ambassadors, women are treated as brand commodities.

Advertisers do not realise the impact of their actions. Sexual objectification has real consequences in society as young girls may grow up to hate their bodies. This can lead to a cycle of body shaming and depression.

A majority of Indian ads depict women as dependants and show men taking the big calls while women make the household decisions. As per the data, 11 per cent of women in Indian ads are married, compared to 8.8 per cent for men. The women are twice as likely to be shown shopping and cleaning.

Such regressive trends extend to skin colour as well. Two-thirds of all female characters were of light or medium skin tone. This reaffirms the stereotype that light skin is desirable, which sends women back in the cycle of insecurity and depression.

Indian ad makers are in a position of power but they need to be reminded of it because their content shapes minds across the country. Corporate social responsibility isn't just about planting trees and pep talks; it is about responsible advertising and putting out the right message.

Philosopher Marshall McLuhan called advertisements the cave art of the 20th century. While we are a hundred years wiser today, we seem to be still stuck with the same old cave art.

We see advertisements everywhere, from movie theatres to YouTube videos. Advertisements are extremely powerful as they leave a lasting impression on us. Due to this, it is important that ads say all the right things.

We see advertisements everywhere, from movie theatres to YouTube videos. Advertisements are extremely powerful as they leave a lasting impression on us. Due to this, it is important that ads say all the right things. However, sometimes they do not. A UNICEF study has found that Indian advertisements reinforce gender bias and stereotypes. Advertisements make cameos on our television sets as they are very rarely longer than a few seconds. However, those few seconds are enough to plant an idea in one’s brain and spur change. Watch | However, the consequences can be serious if the idea of the advertisement is flawed. A UNICEF study has found that India is facing this exact problem as it set to find out the representation of women in advertisements. As per the raw data accumulated by UNICEF, 49.6 per cent of characters in ads are women but they make up nearly 60 per cent of the screen time and 56 per cent of speaking time. However, the problem is that women appear in Indian ads mostly to sell domestic and beauty products only. So, these numbers are a sign of deep-seated stereotypes as women, apparently, still belong in kitchen as per these advertisements. These stereotypical advertisements are being consumed by the Indian youth, which is extending these stereotypes across generations. Indian ads focus more on looks than messaging and once again it is a different yardstick for women. They are nine times more likely to be presented as 'stunning or attractive' and six times more likely to be shown in revealing clothes. Women are four times more likely to be depicted as partially nude and five times more likely to be sexually objectified. The bottom line is that while men are brand ambassadors, women are treated as brand commodities. Advertisers do not realise the impact of their actions. Sexual objectification has real consequences in society as young girls may grow up to hate their bodies. This can lead to a cycle of body shaming and depression. A majority of Indian ads depict women as dependants and show men taking the big calls while women make the household decisions. As per the data, 11 per cent of women in Indian ads are married, compared to 8.8 per cent for men. The women are twice as likely to be shown shopping and cleaning. Such regressive trends extend to skin colour as well. Two-thirds of all female characters were of light or medium skin tone. This reaffirms the stereotype that light skin is desirable, which sends women back in the cycle of insecurity and depression. Indian ad makers are in a position of power but they need to be reminded of it because their content shapes minds across the country. Corporate social responsibility isn't just about planting trees and pep talks; it is about responsible advertising and putting out the right message. Philosopher Marshall McLuhan called advertisements the cave art of the 20th century. While we are a hundred years wiser today, we seem to be still stuck with the same old cave art.

Indian advertisements promoting gender stereotypes instead of products: UNICEF

In a show of solidarity, CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force to mobilise resources to help India fight the battle against COVID-19.

A collective initiative of the US-India Business Council of the US Chambers of Commerce, and the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum and Business Roundtable, the task force during its meeting here on Monday committed to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India in the next few weeks.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/google-microsofts-indian-american-ceos-pledge-support-in-indias-fight-against-covid-19-380513" hreflang="en">Google, Microsoft's Indian-American CEOs pledge support in India's fight against COVID-19</a>

The new US public-private partnership to provide India critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen, and other life-saving assistance amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases is called the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilising for India.

The first-of-its-kind country-specific global task force to address a public health crisis in another country was addressed by US Secretary of State Tony Blinken.

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Productive conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/USIBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USIBC</a> today on how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the U.S. private sector as we urgently work toward solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1386814848139399169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The conversation showed how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector towards solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis, Blinken said in a tweet.

US&nbsp;Representative Ro Khanna, Democratic vice chair of the Congressional Caucus on&nbsp;India said&nbsp;that&nbsp;Indian-American billionaire and Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla and other&nbsp;Indian-American tech executives at Google, IBM and Microsoft are working closely with the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on&nbsp;India.

The group is trying to match&nbsp;Indian hospitals and other facilities with supplies of oxygen and other urgently needed medical equipment, and pushing the White House to do more for&nbsp;India, the world's largest democracy, as a surge in infections overwhelms hospitals.

On Twitter, Khosla offered to fund the bulk import of oxygen and other supplies to&nbsp;India. Khanna said Khosla has offered to underwrite the initiative.

Google said&nbsp;on Monday it was donating another $18 million in&nbsp;India&nbsp;for victims and medical supplies, and confirmed chief executive Sundar Pichai was personally donating $700,000 to UNICEF's&nbsp;India&nbsp;response.&nbsp;

Indian immigrants and their offspring, some with deep pockets, are a powerful political force in the United States, and dozens of&nbsp;Indian Americans have roles in the Biden administration. Demographers estimate there are close to 4 million people of&nbsp;Indian descent in the United States.

The United States has faced criticism in&nbsp;India&nbsp;where local vaccine makers struggled to buy raw materials from U.S. suppliers. Administration officials insist there is no export ban in place, although the US&nbsp;Defence Production Act allows the government to give preference to U.S. manufacturers.

The&nbsp;Indian-American caucus is meeting with the&nbsp;Indian ambassador this week to see what else can be done to speed distribution of unused AstraZeneca vaccines and other supplies to&nbsp;India, Khanna said.

It has been pushing the White House to do more, Khanna said.

"The administration's initial response has been very encouraging, but the hope is that they will continue by releasing the AstraZeneca vaccines," Khanna said.

The White House on Monday said it would share up to 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Plc's coronavirus vaccine with other countries as soon as the next few weeks.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a show of solidarity, CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force to mobilise resources to help India fight the battle against COVID-19.

In a show of solidarity, CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force to mobilise resources to help India fight the battle against COVID-19. A collective initiative of the US-India Business Council of the US Chambers of Commerce, and the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum and Business Roundtable, the task force during its meeting here on Monday committed to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India in the next few weeks. Also read| Google, Microsoft's Indian-American CEOs pledge support in India's fight against COVID-19 The new US public-private partnership to provide India critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen, and other life-saving assistance amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases is called the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilising for India. The first-of-its-kind country-specific global task force to address a public health crisis in another country was addressed by US Secretary of State Tony Blinken. Productive conversation with @USIBC today on how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the U.S. private sector as we urgently work toward solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis. — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 26, 2021 × The conversation showed how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector towards solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis, Blinken said in a tweet. US Representative Ro Khanna, Democratic vice chair of the Congressional Caucus on India said that Indian-American billionaire and Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla and other Indian-American tech executives at Google, IBM and Microsoft are working closely with the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India. The group is trying to match Indian hospitals and other facilities with supplies of oxygen and other urgently needed medical equipment, and pushing the White House to do more for India, the world's largest democracy, as a surge in infections overwhelms hospitals. On Twitter, Khosla offered to fund the bulk import of oxygen and other supplies to India. Khanna said Khosla has offered to underwrite the initiative. Google said on Monday it was donating another $18 million in India for victims and medical supplies, and confirmed chief executive Sundar Pichai was personally donating $700,000 to UNICEF's India response. Indian immigrants and their offspring, some with deep pockets, are a powerful political force in the United States, and dozens of Indian Americans have roles in the Biden administration. Demographers estimate there are close to 4 million people of Indian descent in the United States. The United States has faced criticism in India where local vaccine makers struggled to buy raw materials from U.S. suppliers. Administration officials insist there is no export ban in place, although the US Defence Production Act allows the government to give preference to U.S. manufacturers. The Indian-American caucus is meeting with the Indian ambassador this week to see what else can be done to speed distribution of unused AstraZeneca vaccines and other supplies to India, Khanna said. It has been pushing the White House to do more, Khanna said. "The administration's initial response has been very encouraging, but the hope is that they will continue by releasing the AstraZeneca vaccines," Khanna said. The White House on Monday said it would share up to 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Plc's coronavirus vaccine with other countries as soon as the next few weeks. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Americans in US Congress, tech organise COVID-19 aid to India

A UNICEF study has found that Indian ads reinforce gender bias and stereotypes. Despite a greater share of screen time and speaking time, women are cast to sell domestic and beauty products only. WION’s Palki Sharma tells you how ad-makers can correct this trend.

Gravitas: Indian ads reinforce gender stereotypes

A new report has warned that the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may undermine a quarter century’s progress in curbing child marriages and increase under-age pregnancies.

According to a&nbsp;new analysis released Monday by Unicef, &nbsp;the outsized impact Covid-19 has had on women in some countries could result in an additional 10 million child marriages in this decade.

"School closures, economic stress, service disruptions, pregnancy and parental deaths due to the pandemic are putting the most vulnerable girls at increased risk of child marriage," said a study titled "Covid-19: A threat to progress against child marriage."

That trend, if confirmed, would represent a serious retreat from recent years of progress against child marriage.

In the last 10 years, according to the study, the proportion of young women globally who were married as children had declined by 15 per cent, from nearly one in four to one in five.

That progress "is now under threat," said the study, released on International Women's Day.

"Covid-19 has made an already difficult situation for millions of girls even worse," said Unicef executive director Henrietta Fore.

"Shuttered schools, isolation from friends and support networks, and rising poverty have added fuel to a fire the world was already struggling to put out."

Girls who marry in childhood, the study said, are more likely to experience domestic violence and less likely to remain in school. They face an increased risk of early and unplanned pregnancy, and maternal complications and mortality.

Isolation from family and friends can take "a heavy toll on their mental health."

Meantime, pandemic-related travel restrictions and physical distancing have made it harder for girls "to access the health care, social services and community support that protect them from child marriage, unwanted pregnancy and gender-based violence," while making it more likely that they drop out of school.

In addition, families facing economic hardship may seek to marry off their daughters to ease financial burdens.

The report estimates that 650 million girls and women alive today were married in childhood, about half of them in Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India or Nigeria.

Fore called for countries to reopen schools, implement legal reforms, ensure access to health and social services while providing measures to protect families.

By doing so, she said, "we can significantly reduce a girl's risk of having her childhood stolen through child marriage."

(With inputs from agencies)

A new report has warned that the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may undermine a quarter century’s progress in curbing child marriages and increase under-age pregnancies.

A new report has warned that the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may undermine a quarter century’s progress in curbing child marriages and increase under-age pregnancies. According to a new analysis released Monday by Unicef, the outsized impact Covid-19 has had on women in some countries could result in an additional 10 million child marriages in this decade. "School closures, economic stress, service disruptions, pregnancy and parental deaths due to the pandemic are putting the most vulnerable girls at increased risk of child marriage," said a study titled "Covid-19: A threat to progress against child marriage." That trend, if confirmed, would represent a serious retreat from recent years of progress against child marriage. In the last 10 years, according to the study, the proportion of young women globally who were married as children had declined by 15 per cent, from nearly one in four to one in five. That progress "is now under threat," said the study, released on International Women's Day. "Covid-19 has made an already difficult situation for millions of girls even worse," said Unicef executive director Henrietta Fore. "Shuttered schools, isolation from friends and support networks, and rising poverty have added fuel to a fire the world was already struggling to put out." Girls who marry in childhood, the study said, are more likely to experience domestic violence and less likely to remain in school. They face an increased risk of early and unplanned pregnancy, and maternal complications and mortality. Isolation from family and friends can take "a heavy toll on their mental health." Meantime, pandemic-related travel restrictions and physical distancing have made it harder for girls "to access the health care, social services and community support that protect them from child marriage, unwanted pregnancy and gender-based violence," while making it more likely that they drop out of school. In addition, families facing economic hardship may seek to marry off their daughters to ease financial burdens. The report estimates that 650 million girls and women alive today were married in childhood, about half of them in Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India or Nigeria. Fore called for countries to reopen schools, implement legal reforms, ensure access to health and social services while providing measures to protect families. By doing so, she said, "we can significantly reduce a girl's risk of having her childhood stolen through child marriage." (With inputs from agencies)

Covid child brides: 10 million more girls can be pushed into child marriage, warns Unicef report

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