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The war in Ukraine and rising inflation have driven an additional four million children across eastern Europe and Central Asia into poverty, a 19 per cent increase since 2021, according to a new UNICEF study published today. The impact of the war in Ukraine and subsequent economic downturn on child poverty in eastern Europe and Central Asia – which features data from 22 countries* across the region - shows that children are bearing the heaviest burden of the economic crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. While children make up 25 per cent of the population, they account for nearly 40 per cent of the additional 10.4 million people experiencing poverty this year. The Russian Federation accounts for nearly three-quarters of the total increase in the number of children living in poverty due to the Ukraine war and a cost-of-living crisis across the region, with an additional 2.8 million children now living in households below the poverty line. Ukraine is home to half a million additional children living in poverty, the second largest share, followed by Romania, with an additional 110,000 children, the study notes. “Beyond the obvious horrors of war – the killing and maiming of children, mass displacement – the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine are having a devastating impact on children across eastern Europe and Central Asia,” said UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Afshan Khan. “Children all over the region are being swept up in this war’s terrible wake. If we don’t support these children and families now, the steep rise in child poverty will almost certainly result in lost lives, lost learning, and lost futures.” The consequences of child poverty stretch far beyond families living in financial distress. The sharp increase could result in an additional 4,500 children dying before their first birthdays, and learning losses could be equivalent to an additional 117,000 children dropping out of school this year alone, the study notes. The poorer a family is, the greater the proportion of their income committed to necessities such as food and fuel. When the cost of basic goods soars, the money available to meet other needs such as health care and education falls, the study notes. The subsequent cost-of-living crisis means that the poorest children are even less likely to access essential services, and are more at risk of violence, exploitation and abuse. For many, childhood poverty lasts a lifetime. One in three children born and raised in poverty will live their adult lives in poverty, leading to an intergenerational cycle of hardship and deprivation, the study notes. The challenges faced by families living in or on the brink of poverty deepen when governments reduce public expenditure, increase consumption taxes or put in place austerity measures in a limiting effort to boost their economies in the short-term, as this diminishes the reach and quality of support services that families depend on. The study sets out a framework to help reduce the number of children living in poverty and prevent more families from falling into financial distress:

• Provide universal cash benefits for children and ensure minimum income security.
• Expand social assistance benefits to all families with children in need, including refugees.
• Protect social spending, especially for the most vulnerable children and families.
• Protect and support the delivery of health, nutrition, and social care services to pregnant mothers, infants, and pre-schoolers.
• Introduce price regulations on basic food items for families.

UNICEF has recently partnered with the EU Commission and several EU countries to pilot the EU Child Guarantee initiative to mitigate the impact of poverty on children and provide them with opportunities to thrive in adulthood. With more children and families now being pushed into poverty, a robust response is warranted across the region. UNICEF is calling for continued and expanded support to strengthen social protection systems in high- and middle-income countries in eastern Europe and Central Asia; and the prioritization of funding for social protection programmes, including cash assistance programmes for vulnerable children and families. “Austerity measures will hurt children most of all – plunging even more children into poverty and making it harder for families who are already struggling,” said Khan. “We have to protect and expand social support for vulnerable families before the situation gets any worse.”

In the 2022 Global Hunger Index, Nepal ranks 81^st out of 121 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2022 GHI scores.

With a score of 19.1, Nepal has a level of hunger that is moderate, according to the Global Hunger Index.

Jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerlife, the GHI lists countries by ‘severity’. Yemen has ranked in the lowest position at 121, while the top of the list is dominated by European nations including Croatia, Estonia, and Montenegro.

 Among Asian nations, China and Kuwait have ranked the highest. With a score of 29.1, which falls in the ‘serious’ category of hunger, India was ranked behind its neighbors Nepal (81), Pakistan (99), Sri Lanka (64), and Bangladesh (84). India has been recording decreasing GHI scores over the years. In 2000, it recorded an ‘alarming’ score of 38.8, which was reduced to 28.2 by 2014. The country has started recording higher scores since then.

Nepal reported 32 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 634 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 28 returned positive. Likewise, 528 people underwent antigen tests, of which four were tested positive. The Ministry said that no one died of the virus in the last 24 hours. The Ministry said that seven infected people recovered from the disease. As of today, there are 668 active cases in the country.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index plunged by 9. 69 points to close at 1,860.94 points on Sunday. Similarly, the sensitive index fell 1. 72 points to reach 365. 42 points. A total of 2,574,785 unit of shares of 221 companies were traded for Rs 80 billion. Likewise, all sub-indices saw red in today’s market except for Banking and Manu & Pro. Meanwhile, Aviyan Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 99 percent. Likewise, People’s Power Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 10 percent. At the end of the day, total market civilization stands at Rs 2.67 trillion.

A player died in a paragliding accident during the Ninth National Games being held in Pokhara on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Nisim Thapa Magar. He was representing the Nepal Army club in the cross-country competition. The tragedy occurred when the paraglide of a company suddenly fell from the sky this afternoon.    

Xi Jinping delivered a report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on Sunday, China Daily reported. The following are some highlights from the report: Momentous five years  The five years since the 19th National Congress of the CPC have been truly momentous and extraordinary. The Party Central Committee has pursued a strategy of national rejuvenation amid global changes of a magnitude not seen in a century, with major strategic plans made for advancing the cause of the Party and the country. (Read more) Historic achievements over past decade The CPC has taken China on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. Under the leadership of the Party Central Committee, the entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people have been brought together to carry out a great struggle with many new features of the times. (Read more) Opening new chapters in adapting Marxism to Chinese context It is the solemn historic responsibility of today's Chinese Communists to continue opening new chapters in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, with the courage to make theoretical explorations and innovations, the CPC has, from an entirely new perspective, deepened its understanding of the laws that underlie governance by a communist party, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society . (Read more)

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow bullion is being traded at Rs 93, 100 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 94, 100 per tola on Friday. Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 92, 600 per tola today. Similarly, the price of silver is being traded at Rs 1, 160 per tola.

The body of cultural expert and historian Satya Mohan Joshi has been kept in the Kist Hospital for last tributes. The body will be taken to the office of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City in Pulchowk today itself. Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chief Chiribabu Maharjan said that the mortal remains will be kept in the premises of the Metropolitan City from 12 pm to 4 pm the tributes. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba among others will reach the office of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City this afternoon to pay final tributes to Joshi. Joshi passed away at the age of 103 on Sunday. He breathed his last during the course of treatment at the Gwarko-based Kist Medical College this morning. According to a source at the hospital, he passed away at 7: 09 am today. Joshi, who had been suffering from prostate and heart-related ailments for the past many years, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital on October 10. Joshi was also suffering from pneumonia and was also found infected with dengue during the blood test. Earlier, he had announced to donate his body to the hospital after his death.