23.4M Kids Face Poverty

The Iran war is having a devastating impact on education, particularly for vulnerable children in poverty-stricken areas. Rising fuel prices are making it difficult for children and teachers to attend school, with the cost of gasoline spiking due to the conflict. This is forcing families to make difficult choices between paying for basic necessities and keeping their children in school.

According to a recent United Nations Children's Fund report, up to 23.4 million more children could be pushed into poverty by the end of the year if the war continues. About 80% of these children are in Africa and Asia, where the impact of the war is being felt most severely. Sabrina Hervey of the Qatar-based Education Above All Foundation said that the Iran war is likely to force millions of children out of school and could force millions of children to make the decision not to enroll in the first place.

The situation is particularly dire for families who rely on fishing, such as Sreynich's family in Cambodia. Rising fuel prices due to the Iran war mean that they can no longer afford to travel to deeper waters where fish are more plentiful. Sreynich, a 13-year-old girl, had to start school at the age of 10 because her mother waited until she was old enough to swim, fearing the boat to school could capsize. Climate change is also making it harder for people to navigate Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, with increasingly unpredictable floods and droughts.

## Why it matters The impact of the Iran war on education is less visible than outright school closures during COVID-19, but it is falling first and hardest on the poorest families. Soaring fuel prices are making it more expensive for children and teachers to get to school, and for governments to fund education as national budgets come under strain. The consequences of this could be long-lasting, with millions of children being forced out of school and into poverty.

The story of Sreynich and her family is just one example of the human cost of the Iran war. As the conflict continues, it is likely that many more families will be forced to make difficult choices between paying for basic necessities and keeping their children in school. The international community must take action to support these families and ensure that all children have access to education, regardless of their circumstances.

## What happens next As the situation continues to deteriorate, it is likely that the number of children being pushed into poverty will increase. The United Nations Children's Fund and other organizations are working to support these children and their families, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem. The international community must come together to find a solution to the Iran war and to support the millions of children who are being affected by it.

The Iran war is a stark reminder of the devastating impact that conflict can have on education and poverty. As the world watches the situation unfold, it is clear that something needs to be done to support the millions of children who are being affected. The consequences of inaction could be catastrophic, with millions of children being forced out of school and into poverty. It is time for the international community to take action and to ensure that all children have access to education, regardless of their circumstances.