4 million children in eastern Europe and Central Asia are now living in poverty as a result of the economic fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to 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
Children in Russia and Ukraine have been particularly impacted since Moscow attacked their neighbor in February.
“Russia accounts for nearly three-quarters of the total increase in the number of children living in poverty. It is due to the Ukraine war and a cost-of-living crisis across the region. Now, an additional 2.8 million children now living in households below the poverty line,” UNICEF found.
The adverse economic impact of Western sanctions on Russia was amplified by the country’s enormous population.
“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.
They are also “more at risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse”
“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.”
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.