UNICEF seeks $2.8bn to help kids in world emergencies in 2016

The U.N. children’s agency is launching a $2.8 billion appeal to help children in the midst of humanitarian emergencies across the world this year, The Washington Post reported.

UNICEF director of emergency programs in Geneva Sikander Khan says about one-quarter of that appeal aims to go for education, which the agency considers a “life-saving measure for children” at a time when war has shuttered many schools.

The appeal is part of a broader funding drive by the U.N. humanitarian agency that targets 76 million people in 63 countries.

The largest single chunk of UNICEF’s appeal — $1.16 billion — is targeted for Syria and countries including Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan that have taken in millions of refugees from Syria’s war. The appeal hopes to help some 5 million Syrian children inside and outside Syria.

Source: MENA