Unicef Executive director Catherine Russell
Executive director Catherine Russell said funding cuts, mainly by the United States, come at a time of unprecedented need where children are affected by conflicts and diseases. She said the cuts will create a funding crisis on the ongoing programmes.
Unicef is a major casualty of the US funding cuts because it received 36 per cent of total funding ($1.02 billion) from Usaid. In 2021 the UK government announced a 60 per cent reduction in core funding to Unicef.
“These cuts by numerous donor countries follow two years of aid reductions at a time of unprecedented need. Millions of children are affected by conflict, need to be vaccinated against deadly diseases such as measles and polio, and must be educated and kept healthy,” Unicef boss Catherine Russell said on Wednesday.
She added: “As needs continue to outpace
resources, Unicef has consistently brought efficiencies and innovations to our
work, and we have stretched every contribution to reach vulnerable
children. But there is no way around it,
these new cuts are creating a global funding crisis that will put the lives of
millions of additional children at risk.”
In her press release, she said that the
funding to the Unicef has had significant impact as far as child mortality is
concerned.
“Unicef implores all donors to continue to
fund critical aid programs for the world’s children. We cannot fail them now,” Russel said.
