UNICEF: Lebanon's economic crisis severely affecting children's health
April 20, 2022, 5:54 pm

UNICEF: Lebanon's economic crisis severely affecting children's health

Unicef/Pixabay

The Xinhua reported, according to a report released by the United Nations Children's Fund on Wednesday (Apr 20), the ripple effects of the global economic situation, such as higher costs and inflation, are exacerbating Lebanon's crisis, including serious consequences for children's health.

Ettie Higgins, UNICEF's representative in Lebanon, was quoted as saying in a UNICEF statement sent to Xinhua: "With 80 percent of the population living in poverty, many families cannot even afford the cost of transportation to take their children to a health care center, and many are no longer able to provide the food and nutrition their children need to survive and thrive."

Dubbed "A worsening health crisis for children," the report noted that the economic crisis caused disruptions in the health sector which was already beset by a major exodus of medical professionals, a hiring freeze by health facilities and limitations on imports of medications and equipment that have seriously affected the quality of healthcare for women and children.

UNICEF says the ripple effects of the global economic situation, such as higher costs and inflation, are exacerbating Lebanon's crisis, including serious consequences for children's health

It also highlighted the reduction in vaccination rates, which has left children vulnerable to potentially deadly diseases such as measles, diphtheria and pneumonia.

The report added, routine vaccination of children has plummeted by 31 percent when rates already were worryingly low, leaving a large pool of unprotected children exposed to diseases and their impact.

Lebanon arrests brother of embattled central bank governor over money laundering

Higgins was quoted as saying in the statement: "UNICEF reinforces its call to the Lebanese government and all stakeholders to scale up efforts to vaccinate all children against vaccine preventable diseases, and to improve the nutritional well-being of children and women."

Source: xinhua

Holy Wars Slaying Holy Days Boris Johnson holds talks with Kurdish PM Barzani in London

Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.