Developing Nations Struggle with Conflict Impact, UNDP Report States

Kathmandu. A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report states that the efforts of developing countries to address the ongoing long conflict in West Asia and minimize its impact have been expensive and burdensome, with development priorities such as education and health falling behind.

The report states that low and middle-income countries have partially protected their citizens from the sharp rise in energy prices through measures such as fossil fuel subsidies, price caps, and tax exemptions.

The report states that most of the world's poor countries are in debt crisis or at high risk of it, and debt servicing is consuming a large portion of government budgets.

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said that many developing countries are already burdened by debt and have failed to protect their citizens from the negative impact of energy price surges during the conflict.

He expressed sorrow that any country is forced to sacrifice its future development to manage a crisis it did not create, stating that investment needed to build schools, hospitals, and clean energy systems is being used to keep the economy moving.