More Than 4 Million Refugees Have Fled Ukraine Since Russia’s Invasion
ForbesDec 23, 2021
The Facts
According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Russia's invasion of Ukraine - and consequent rising inflation - has pushed approximately four million children into poverty across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
UNICEF drew its conclusions by studying data from 22 countries—the organization have stated that the numbers reflect a 19% increase since 2021. UNICEF's regional director for Europe and Central Asia, Afshan Khan, stated that "children all over the region are being swept up in this war's terrible wake."
The Spin
Narrative A
The effect of the war is not only being felt in Ukraine. Russia itself is facing damaging consequences, including a significant increase in child poverty. Childhood poverty often lasts a lifetime and establishes cycles that are hard to break. A robust response by UNICEF and the wider world is both warranted and immediately necessary.
Narrative B
The UN has consistently been critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, in reality, the agency lacks the power to do anything about such world conflicts. Ineffective in the face of a veto-wielding country such as Russia, change must occur within the UN's structure if the agency wants its words to be taken seriously by powerful states.