Every second child in Yemen under the age of five suffers from acute malnutrition against the background of more than 10 years of conflict. This was announced at a briefing in Geneva by a representative of the UN children’s fund (UNICEF) in Yemen Peter Hawkins.
He noted that the conflict in Yemen stole the future in children and made a whole generation fight for survival.
“every second child, up to five years old, suffers from acute malnutrition. Of these, more than 537,000 suffer from severe acute malnutrition. This condition is painful, life threatening and it can be completely prevented. Non -vigor weakens the immune system, slow down and deprives the children of their potential. In Yemen, this is not just a crisis in the field of healthcare, this is a death sentence for thousands of people,” – said He.
Hawkins also drew attention to the malnutrition of 1.4 million pregnant and lactating women in the country. “The consequences of this situation will be felt throughout generations,” he warned.
According to the representative of UNICEF, more than half of the population survives through humanitarian assistance.
“Prices for food have risen by 300 percent since 2015. The most important ports and roads, which are vital for food and medicine supply, were damaged or blocked,” he said.
However, contrary to all these difficult and often dangerous working conditions, UNICEF remains in the place and will continue to support Yemen’s children, ”Hokins said.
According to him, as part of the UN campaign to help Yemen, initiated in 2025, only 25 percent was funded.
“Without urgent resources, we will not be able to maintain even minimal services in conditions of growing needs,” said the representative of UNICEF.