UNICEF launches record $ 2.2b aid appeal to help children in emergencies

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 22 (Xinhua): The United Nations Children 's Fund (UNICEF) Friday launched an appeal for 2.2 billion US dollars to help nearly 60 million children in the world's crisis situations, the majority of whom are in and around war-torn Syria.

The UNICEF "Humanitarian Action for Children 2014" is the largest emergency appeal on record. It would aid 85 million people, of whom 59 million are children.  "Children are always the most vulnerable group in emergencies, facing a high risk of violence, exploitation, disease and neglect, " said Ted Chaiban, UNICEF's director of emergency programmes.

The UNICEF appeal outstrips its call early last year for 1.4 billion dollars. The appeal was revised in October to 1.7 billion dollars.

The majority of the funds are destined to tackle the impact of the crisis in Syria and the sub-region. Almost 40 per cent of 835 million dollars will be earmarked for immunizations, as well as water and sanitation, education, and protection projects.1