UNICEF: Renewed Fighting in Yemen Worsens Crisis for Millions of Children
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the renewal of hostilities across Yemen is forcing families to leave their homes, leading to the death and injury of children, and hindering access to healthcare and education, thus deepening the already severe humanitarian crisis; where more than 12 million children need humanitarian assistance.
The UN agency reported in a statement released on Wednesday that more than 104,000 people have been displaced, including over 57,000 children, in just two weeks.
It added that since September 3, there have been reports of at least nine children killed and 12 others injured, in addition to three children missing following an attack on the road connecting Yemen's west coast and Aden.
The organization stated that the ongoing fighting in west Taiz, south Hodeidah, Ma'rib, and other affected areas is depriving children of essential services. Services have been disrupted in 26 UNICEF-supported health facilities, while 243 schools have been closed or suspended, affecting more than 137,000 students.
Edward Beigbeder, UNICEF's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said, "For children who have already suffered for years from hunger, displacement, and interrupted education, this latest wave of violence undermines what little stability they have left."
UNICEF noted that the effects of this escalation extend to areas on the other side of the Bab el-Mandeb strait, where more than 2,000 people - including many children - have arrived in Djibouti after a perilous journey characterized by extreme heat, drought, and threats to their safety.
The organization pointed out that even before this latest escalation, an estimated 12.2 million children in Yemen were in need of humanitarian assistance.
It added that more than 2.2 million children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition - including more than 515,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (severe wasting) - while 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 - comply with international humanitarian law, facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, and ensure that much-needed aid reaches communities in need.
المصدر: UNICEF
