For the first time UNICEF will help feed children in the UK

FOR the first time UNICEF has launched a domestic emergency response in the UK to help feed children hit by the COVID-19 crisis.

The UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide has likened the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on youngsters to that of the Second World War.

Since the first national lockdown in March, the number of families struggling to make ends meet and access food has grown, as the economy has suffered and vital jobs been lost.

In May, a YouGov poll commissioned by the charity Food Foundation found that 2.4 million children (17%) were living in food-insecure households. And by October it said an extra 900,000 children had been registered for free school meals.

UNICEF has now pledged a grant of £25,000 to the charity School Food Matters which will use the money to supply thousands of breakfast boxes over the two-week Christmas school holidays to vulnerable children and families in Southwark, south London.

Each Box will provide enough food for 10 breakfasts across the Christmas holiday.

Anna Kettley, of UNICEF UK, said: “We feel it’s critical to come together at this time.

“It’s the first time which we’re recognising that this is an unprecedented situation which requires everyone to roll their sleeves up, step in and support children and families that need it most at this time.”