Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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Children and families across Europe and Central Asia face multiple risks, including earthquakes, floods, disease outbreaks, conflict and mixed migration movements.
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An estimated 4.7 million people are at risk of earthquakes 1 and 7.5 million children are exposed to flooding. Measles cases have increased seven-fold since 2022. Political and socioeconomic volatility and rising inflation have exacerbated vulnerability of communities and resulted in a 19 per cent rise in child poverty.
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Pressure on the Mediterranean and Balkan routes intensified in 2023, with arrival of approximately 240,187 refugees and migrants, (32,412 children) in five key countries, a 49 percent increase from 2022. Among them,16,638 children were unaccompanied and separated from their families. Afghan refugees and their host communities remain in need of specialized support, with continued risks of new arrivals in Central Asia.
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UNICEF requires $39.6 million to deliver critical humanitarian support, including for refugee and migrant children on the move and to address sudden onset emergencies; invest in emergency preparedness and ensure disaster risk reduction capacities of Governments and partners. The goal is inclusive, gender-responsive, climate-adaptive humanitarian action and risk mitigation.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
Children and families across Europe and Central Asia are exposed to earthquakes, floods, disease outbreaks, conflict, extreme weather events and increased population movements. Central Asia, South Caucasus and the Western Balkans are particularly prone to earthquakes and flooding. Nearly 30 per cent of capital cities in the region have been destroyed by earthquakes or floods in their history. In 2023, floods, avalanches and earthquakes affected over 15.2 million people in Türkiye and over 450,000 people in the Western Balkans and Central Asia. In Central Asia, natural disasters cause US$10 billion in economic losses annually. Approximately 92 million children experience heatwaves, 32.4 million face water scarcity and 7.5 million are exposed to floods. Political instability, conflict and displacement have further impacted millions of children and families. Refugee and migrant movements along the Mediterranean and Balkan routes increased by 49 percent in 2023, with over 240,187 arrivals, including 32,412 children (16,637 unaccompanied and separated), in five key countries, overwhelming national capacities to ensure sufficient hygiene, accommodation, health, protection and educational services. An estimated 744,518 refugees and migrants, including 154,528 children (29,252 unaccompanied and separated), are present in these countries. Women and girls face particular risk of gender-based violence. Inadequate reception, identification and protection mechanisms and limited alternative care and legal guardianship heighten vulnerability of unaccompanied children. Adolescents lack opportunities for skills building; xenophobia and discrimination are increasing. Risks of violence against children persist in reception sites, and families have limited assistance while awaiting asylum procedures. Additionally, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Albania host over 22,000 refugees from Afghanistan, many of whom require specialized support. The continuingly desperate humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, brings risk of new refugee arrivals.
Continuing war in Ukraine, volatile political and socioeconomic conditions and rising inflation have increased child poverty in the region by 19 percent, pushing four million children into poverty. Disruption of services during COVID-19, coupled with significant population movements, has increased risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and cross-border epidemics. Measles cases have increased seven-fold since 2022. These situations require immediate investment in emergency preparedness, response and risk mitigation measures to enhance preparedness of communities and uphold rights of children.