Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Drought threatens health of tens of millions of children

 The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has warned that children in the Horn of Africa and Sahel regions "could die in devastating numbers unless urgent support is provided."

 As many as 40 million children are "one disease" from catastrophe according to UNICEF.

Drought-stricken people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia — without access to adequate supplies of water — rose from 9.5 million to 16.2 million in the space of just five months, according to the relief agency. The organization said that as natural water sources dried up, the knock-on effect was significant increases in the price of water. In parts of Kenya, prices had risen by as much as 400% while in parts of Somalia increases of up to 85% were reported.

"When water either isn't available or is unsafe, the risks to children multiply exponentially," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said. 

Drought in Africa threatens millions of children — UN | News | DW | 23.08.2022

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