John, 2023 has already been a tough year for children, and the last two weeks have only made things worse. A dramatic escalation of conflict in Israel and Gaza has already killed thousands of children, and a series of earthquakes in Afghanistan have led to countless deaths and worsened hunger and homelessness in the midst of an ongoing economic crisis.
Now, 1 in 6 of the world’s children are living in a conflict zone. More than 1,000 children have reportedly been killed in over 12 days of conflict in Gaza – that’s one child every 15 minutes. At least 1,300 people have also been killed in Israel, and children have been ripped from their families and kidnapped. Many more have lost their homes to natural disasters like the earthquakes in Afghanistan. More still are wondering where their next meal will come from due to extreme food shortages caused by drought in Eastern Africa. The world’s children are in crisis right now, John.
Together, we can ensure all children have the resources and care they need to grow up healthy, learning and safe from harm. Thank you for your support at this critical moment.