UNICEF warns of 60% UK funding cut: Children will suffer
The UN agency, which distributes humanitarian aid to children around the world, will get £16m this year, down from £40m.Unicef warned of "serious consequences" for children, particularly those affected by Covid-19.The Foreign Office said the pandemic has forced it to make tough decisions.The government announced last year it would cut UK aid spending from 0.7% of national income to 0.5% - which amounts to a reduction of more than £4bn.
Some MPs defended the cuts at the time as being backed by the public, with some politicians arguing that domestic spending should come first during the pandemic.This cut is the latest to be announced as aid charities and agencies begin to reveal the impact of the government's reduced overseas development budget.ssaid the agency had been able to respond to the most pressing education, protection and health needs of children affected by Covid in 2020 thanks to the UK government funding.
It went on to say it was too soon to know the full impact of this and future cuts on the Unicef programme but there was concern children living in some of the world's worst crises and conflicts would suffer the consequences.Unicef acknowledged the "challenging" financial situation facing governments, but called on the UK government to return to spending 0.7% of the national income on foreign aid from 2022 "at the latest".
Aid the agency had been able to respond to the most pressing education, protection and health needs of children affected by Covid in 2020 thanks to the UK government funding.It went on to say it was too soon to know the full impact of this and future cuts on the Unicef programme but there was concern children living in some of the world's worst crises and conflicts would suffer the consequences.
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