Every two seconds, a baby is born in a conflict zone this year, UNICEF says

More than 16 million babies in 2015 were born in conflict zones or on perilous journeys to escape fighting, which translated to one in eight of all births worldwide, or one newborn every two seconds, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said here Thursday.

"Every two seconds, a newborn takes its first breath in the midst of conflict, often in terrifying circumstances and without access to medical care," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake in a press release issued here.

"Too many children are now starting their lives in extreme circumstances -- from conflict to natural disasters, poverty, disease or malnutrition," Lake said. "Can there be a worse start in life?'

In conflict-affected countries such as Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, or on perilous journeys to escape fighting, newborn children and their mothers face enormous risks.

Pregnant mothers are in danger of giving birth without medical help and in unsanitary conditions. Their children are more likely to die before they reach their fifth birthdays and to experience extreme -- or "toxic" -- stress, which can inhibit their long-term emotional and cognitive development.

In addition to conflict, poverty, the effects of climate change and lack of opportunity are making children increasingly vulnerable and have pushed millions on dangerous journeys away from their homes.

According to UNICEF, more than 200,000 children applied for asylum in European Union countries in the first nine months of 2015, adding to the 30 million children across the globe forced from their homes by 2014 due to war, violence and persecution. More people are displaced now than at any moment since World War II.

More than a quarter of a billion children -- or one in nine -- live in countries and areas in conflict and face enormous obstacles to their health, education and well-being, said the UN agency.

More than half a billion children live in areas where floods are extremely common and nearly 160 million live in high or extremely high drought severity zones, UNICEF said.

Children represent almost half of all people living in extreme poverty although they make up roughly a third of the world's population, it said.

"The final months of 2015 have seen the world come together around tackling climate change and a new global development agenda. These ambitious agreements present a huge opportunity if we can translate our promises into action for the most vulnerable children," said Lake.

"If we address the reasons so many families feel the need to uproot themselves and their children from their homes -- by resolving conflict, by addressing climate change, by expanding opportunity, we can make 2016 a year of hope for millions -- not a year of despair," he added. Enditem