The UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) launched a record £2 billion appeal yesterday to enable it to help children caught up in a “new generation” of conflicts and disasters around the world.

The huge sum is £662 million more than it sought in 2014.

A series of complex and destructive crises, natural disasters and emergencies have exposed some 60 million children to extraordinary violence, hunger, disease and abuse.

“From deadly natural disasters to brutal conflicts and fast-spreading epidemics, children across the world are facing a new generation of humanitarian crises,” warned Unicef director of emergency programmes Afshan Khan.

“In the headlines or hidden from view, emergencies sparked by social fracture, climate change and disease are stalking children in ways we have never seen before.”

More than one in 10 children now live in countries or regions affected by armed conflict, Unicef said in the report Humanitarian Action for Children that accompanied the appeal.

Of the appeal cash £598m — the largest part — is bound for Syria and surrounding areas, followed by £331m for West African countries affected by the Ebola epidemic.

More than 5.6 million children need support in Syria, as do 1.7 million who have fled the five-year-old conflict, Unicef said.

“This appeal will help to secure a future for not only the children of Syria but all children around the world impacted by humanitarian crises,” said Mr Khan.

The appeal covers 71 countries and 98 million people.