Association For Defending Victims Of Terrorism – According to UN website, more than 11,000 boys and girls have been killed or injured in the war in Yemen – an average of four a day since fighting escalated in 2015, though the number is likely to be far higher, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported.
Agency chief Catherine Russell, who has completed a visit to the country, called for urgent renewal of the truce between the Government and the Houthi.
The landmark agreement was initially announced in April and led to a significant reduction in the intensity of the conflict.
However, a further 62 children have been killed or injured in the period since it ended in early October and 30 November, UNICEF said.
Furthermore, at least 74 children were among the 164 people killed or injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance between July and September alone.
Ms. Russell visited a hospital in the city of Aden where she met Yasin, a seven-month-old boy, and his mother, Saba, for whom life has become a struggle for survival.
“Thousands of children have lost their lives, hundreds of thousands more remain at risk of death from preventable disease or starvation,” she said.
“Yasin is just one of too many severely malnourished children in Yemen. They all need immediate support as basic services have all but collapsed.”
During her visit, Ms. Russell launched UNICEF’s $10.3 billion Humanitarian Action for Children Appeal to provide water, sanitation, nutrition, education, health and protection services to children worldwide affected by conflict and disasters.
Yemen remains one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian situations. More than 23.4 million people, or three-quarters of the population, require assistance and protection. More than half are children.
UNICEF estimated that 2.2 million youngsters are acutely malnourished, including nearly 540,000 under-fives who are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Ms. Russell stressed that if Yemen’s children are to have any chance of a decent future, the warring parties, as well as the international community and those with influence, must ensure they are protected and supported.
“That includes children like Mansour, who I met at a UNICEF-supported rehabilitation and prosthetics centre. His leg was amputated at the knee after he was shot by a sniper. No child should suffer that,” she said.
“The urgent renewal of the truce would be a positive first step that would allow critical humanitarian access. Ultimately, only a sustained peace will allow families to rebuild their shattered lives and begin to plan for the future.”
