​Unicef launches appeal to help more children across the world facing humanitarian crises

A £2 billion appeal to help children across the world facing humanitarian crises has been launched by Unicef.

In what is the organisation’s biggest ever appeal, it aims to help 98 million people in 71 countries two thirds of whom are children. The appeal will for the rest of this year.

Extra funds are needed says Unicef as growing numbers of children are facing conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies, including the Ebola epidemic.

The organisations is calling for £596m for Syria - to deliver immunisations, safe water and sanitation, and education.

Another £330m will be spent on communities affected by Ebola in Western Africa to help prevent the spread and support basic social services.

There is also £21.4m budgeted for Ukraine, where over 600,000 people are currently internally displaced and £17.4m will go to Nigeria to help those fleeing from armed groups.

Other funds will go towards “under-funded” regions like Afghanistan, Palestine and Niger.

Afshan Khan, director of emergency programmes for Unicef, said the £2bn target reflects a "new generation" of humanitarian crises.

"Emergencies sparked by social fracture, climate change and disease are stalking children in ways we have never seen before," he said. "This appeal will reach the most vulnerable children, wherever they are and provide the building blocks that will allow them to create peaceful futures.

"This is not just about immediate humanitarian action. These short-term investments will have long-term gains.”