Sure, here is the translation to American English:
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Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa have had a devastating impact on children, with over twelve million affected in the past two years. According to reports from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), this crisis has created an alarming state of vulnerability, with 110 million children living in war-torn countries where numerous homes, schools, and health facilities have been destroyed.
Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasizes that “a child’s life is turned upside down every five seconds due to conflicts in the region.” Projections indicate that by 2025, 45 million children will need humanitarian assistance, representing a 41% increase compared to figures from 2020.
The situation worsens when considering the funding allocated to essential programs in the region. In May, Syria reported a funding shortfall of 78%, while the State of Palestine recorded a 68% deficit in its support requests for 2025. UNICEF’s programs, which are crucial for child survival, face increasing financial pressure, with a potential decrease of between 20% and 25% in funding for 2026, which could result in a shortfall of up to $370 million.
These cuts threaten initiatives that are vital for saving lives, such as treating severe malnutrition, producing clean water in conflict areas, and vaccinating against deadly diseases. Beigbeder warns that “as the situation for children in the region worsens, the resources to respond are becoming increasingly scarce.”
The international community faces an urgent call to action. Beigbeder highlights the need to end conflicts and to intensify international advocacy to resolve these crises. In his view, support for vulnerable children must increase, not decrease, to ensure a more hopeful future for millions of young people trapped in desperate situations.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
