A United Nations report paints a grim picture of life in Iraq for two million children, but says an improving security outlook offers the opportunity to provide much-needed help. -
Released Friday by the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF), the report says roughly two million Iraqi children face daily threats of poor nutrition, disease and lack of schooling.
-
Children are also the victims of violence, frequently caught in the crossfire of fighting, said the report, called Little Respite for Iraq's Children in 2007.
-
About 1,350 children were detained by authorities in 2007, "many for alleged security violations" while only 28 per cent of 17-year-olds took their school-leaving exams this year, it said.
-
The UN estimates 75,000 Iraqi children are living in temporary shelters or camps.
-
"Iraqi children are paying far too high a price," Roger Wright, UNICEF's special representative for Iraq said in a statement.
-
The agency said it believes an improving security situation in the country could offer aid groups a chance to help the children.
-
While UNICEF has "been providing as much assistance as possible, a new window of opportunity is opening. We must act now," Wright said.
-
"Meeting the needs of Iraq's children in 2008 depends, to a great extent, on sufficient financial resources being made available," UNICEF said. "Children can and should be the priority for international investment in Iraq."
-
UNICEF spokesperson Veronique Taveau told a news briefing in Geneva that the agency received $40 million toward its $144-million appeal to help immunize millions of Iraqi children against polio, measles, mumps and rubella.
-
"Iraqi children are the foundation for their country's recovery ... We continue to owe them our very best in 2008 and beyond," Wright said.