On Tuesday, the UN children’s agency (Unicef) launched an appeal for $3.3bn to help 48-million children caught up in crises worldwide, amid fears of a funding cut from top donor the US. About 42% of the Unicef appeal for 2017 — $1.4bn — is earmarked to support Syrian children living in the country and as refugees across the borders in neighbouring states. This year’s appeal represents a 18% increase on the initial 2016 request for funding. Donors contribute to the appeals voluntarily. The US is by far the top donor to Unicef, followed by Germany, the UK and the European Commission. Media reports that the new administration of US President Donald Trump was seeking to cut at least 40% of voluntary contributions to international organisations have set off alarm bells at the UN. Unicef deputy executive director Justin Forsyth said there was "no indication at the moment" that the children’s agency would be hit by cuts, adding that he remained hopeful that US support would continue. Faced...
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