UNICEF: Renewed fighting in Yemen threatens to worsen the suffering of over 12 million children

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned of the repercussions of renewed hostilities across Yemen, stressing that the escalation has forced tens of thousands of families to flee, caused child casualties, and hindered their access to health and education services, at a time when over 12 million children are in need of humanitarian aid.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, UNICEF said that more than 104,000 people, including over 57,000 children, were displaced in just two weeks due to the renewed fighting.

It added that since September 3, at least nine children have been reported killed and 12 others injured, with three children missing, following an attack on the road connecting Yemen's west coast to Aden.

The organization explained that fighting in western Taiz, southern Hodeidah, Marib, and other affected areas has disrupted essential services that children rely on, noting that services have been suspended in 26 UNICEF-supported health facilities.

Additionally, 243 schools have been closed or have suspended classes, affecting more than 137,000 students, according to the organization.

UNICEF expands its emergency response

UNICEF said it is expanding its emergency response to reach up to 231,000 people affected by the recent escalation.

The organization has already begun providing aid, including supporting health facilities, distributing hygiene kits and water tanks in Taiz, and providing additional water and hygiene supplies in Marib.

UNICEF has also redeployed nine mobile health and nutrition teams to displacement sites and affected communities in Aden, Marib, and Taiz.

Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said that children who have endured years of hunger, displacement, and educational disruption now face a new wave of violence that "undermines what little stability they had left."

UNICEF warned that the repercussions of the escalation are not limited to Yemen, noting that more than 2,000 people, including many children, have arrived in Djibouti after a journey it described as perilous, amidst extreme heat, drought, and safety risks.

The organization is working with relevant authorities to assist newly arrived families by providing safe water, hygiene and sanitation services, and child protection support, as well as referring the most vulnerable children for necessary care.

UNICEF noted that Yemen was already facing a severe humanitarian crisis even before the latest escalation, with about 12.2 million children in need of humanitarian assistance.

Furthermore, more than 2.2 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, including over 515,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition, while about 3.2 million school-aged children are out of school.

UNICEF reiterated the UN Secretary-General's call for all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, including children, adhere to international humanitarian law, facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, and ensure that essential aid reaches the communities most in need.