UNICEF warns of ‘grave consequences’ for children if UK cuts funding | World news

The UN children’s agency has warned of “serious consequences” for vulnerable infants around the world after learning that the UK is planning to cut its core funding by around 60%.

Such funding has enabled UNICEF to quickly respond to the most urgent “education, protection and health needs” of children affected by the coronavirus pandemic last year, the organization said in a statement. on its website.

“Any reduction in these funds will have serious consequences for children,” he said.

UNICEF said the UK government informed it on Friday of the planned funding cut.

“We are deeply concerned about this decision,” the agency said.

UNICEF expects to receive £ 16million in core funding from the UK this year, up from £ 40million in 2020. It also fears further cuts in other parts of its budget that don’t. have not yet been announced.

The cuts come as part of a decision by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to cut more than £ 4 billion from its annual overseas aid budget as a result of ‘a government decision to reduce an aid spending target to 0.5% of national income. from 0.7%.

As many charities and UN agencies are affected, the real impact on programs vital to tackling health, education and development emergencies in the poorest regions of the world is slowly emerging.

The UN agency said in its statement: “It is too early to know the full impact that this reduction and future cuts in UK funding will have on UNICEF programs. However, we are concerned that children alive in some of the world’s worst crises and conflicts do not suffer consequences. “

The UK has been an important long-term partner in UNICEF’s work around the world, helping to save and improve the lives of millions of vulnerable children and providing them with access to water, essential sanitation, education …