UNICEF Launches Appeal for $10.3 Billion to Help Millions of Children in 2023

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has launched an appeal for $10.3 billion in emergency funding to support children affected by conflicts, disasters, and climate crises around the world and reach more than 173 million people - including 110 million children - in 155 countries and territories through 2023.

UNICEF Executive Director Kathryn Russell said that at the beginning of this year, about 274 million people needed humanitarian assistance and protection, and over the year these needs increased significantly, largely due to conflicts, including the military operation in Ukraine; worsening food insecurity; threats of starvation caused by climate and other factors; and devastating floods in Pakistan.

Russell confirmed that Afghanistan comes at the forefront of countries that need urgent aid during 2023 ($1.65 billion), followed by Ukraine ($1.058 billion), then the Syrian refugee crisis ($867 million), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo ($862 million) then Ethiopia ($674 million.