VENEZUELA : ''1.1 MILLION CHILDREN AFFECTED''

UNICEF : The number of children who are affected by the Venezuelan crisis and who will need humanitarian aid this year is expected to more than double to reach 1.1. million-

Up from nearly 500,000, the UN children's agency said Thursday.

The figure includes children uprooted from Venezuela, those who have returned others in host and transit communities across Latin America and the Caribbean, said a UNICEF  statement.

The latest estimate highlighted the expectations among aid agencies that the political crises in Venezuela will worsen in coming months, exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation of children and families.

UNICEF called on governments in the region to uphold the rights of children and ensure they have access to essential services.

An internal UN report seen by the AFP last week said seven million people - about 24% of Venezuela's population - are in need of humanitarian aid, lacking access to food and medical care.

President Nicolas Maduro has blamed US sanctions for Venezuela's economic problems but opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president, says government corruption and mismanagement are at fault. [Agencies]