The not-so-expensive plight of the world's children

More than half the world's children suffer the effects of poverty, war and HIV/AIDS, denying them a healthy and safe childhood, according to UNICEF.

UNICEF concludes that the world has the capacity to reduce poverty, conflict and HIV/AIDS and improve the plight of the world's children.

This could be achieved at an annual cost of $40-$70 Billion.

World spending on military runs at about $1,000 Billion.

In other words, to reduce poverty, conflict and HIV/AIDS and thus improve the plight of the children of the world it would only require roughly 5% of present military spending.