“The children born today enter a world far different than even a year ago, and a New Year brings a new opportunity to reimagine it”, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said.
Sorting logistics
As always, the Pacific island nation of Fiji will welcome the first baby of the new year and the United States the last one.
Also Read: Over 10 mln children to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2021: UNICEF
Over half of these global births are estimated to take place in the 10 countries of India – 59,995; China – 35,615; Nigeria – 21,439; Pakistan – 14,161; Indonesia –12,336; Ethiopia – 12,006 – US (10,312), Egypt – 9,455; Bangladesh – 9,236; and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – 8,640.
Also Read: Vitamin A campaign reaches 20.8mn children in Bangladesh: UNICEF
In total, UNICEF estimates an 84-year average life expectancy for the 140 million children it projects will be born throughout 2021.
More to celebrate
The year will also mark the 75th anniversary of UNICEF.
Over the course of 2021, UNICEF and its partners will be commemorating the milestone anniversary with events and announcements celebrating three-quarters of a century of protecting children from conflict, disease and exclusion, and championing their right to survival, health and education.
Also Read: COVID-19: UNICEF calls on governments to prioritize reopening of schools
“Children born today will inherit the world we begin to build for them today”, reminded the UNICEF chief.
“Let us make 2021 the year we start to build a fairer, safer, healthier world for children”, she added.
COVID challenges
Meanwhile, as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to soar, so do the needs of children and their families, the UN agency said.
Also Read: Teachers should be prioritized for vaccination against COVID-19: UNICEF
From delivering life-saving health supplies to building water and hygiene facilities, to keeping girls and boys connected to education and protection, UNICEF is working to slow the spread of the pandemic and minimize its impact on children worldwide.
Also Read: UNICEF plans to deliver around 2bn doses of COVID-19 vaccines