UNICEF warns surge in child malnutrition as Yemen conflict displaces thousands
UNICEF says the fighting in Yemen has displaced 71,000 children and triggered a sharp rise in acute malnutrition among youngsters.
UNICEF officials reported that intensified fighting in Yemen has displaced 71,000 children, part of roughly 130,000 people uprooted in the last three weeks, largely from the Taiz governorate. The agency’s mobile teams screened children in accessible areas, finding that more than 25% suffer from acute malnutrition, with 200 classified as severe. UNICEF warns that the country could see 2.2 million children under five become acutely malnourished this year, and over 500,000 may face severe acute malnutrition.
Since early September, at least 15 children have been killed and 14 injured, with three still missing. The conflict has also forced the closure of 243 schools, affecting about 140,000 students. UNICEF urged all parties to protect civilians, respect humanitarian law, and ensure safe humanitarian access.
Why it matters
The worsening child malnutrition and displacement signal a deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 11 The UN International Organisation for Migration says at least 46,000 Yemenis have been displaced since last week as clashes intensify.
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 13 The Greek prime minister publicly called for dialogue with Turkey while maintaining a formal protest over Turkey’s maritime park claims.
- Sep 14 The displacement figure has risen to nearly 86,000.
- Sep 18 Since the earlier report of 86,000 displaced, the UN now says over 112,000 have been forced from their homes.
- Sep 18 The Ethiopian federal army says roughly 300 TPLF combatants have laid down their arms near the Tekeze river, citing discontent with the group's war preparations.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorized British aircraft to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he agreed to Saudi Arabia's request for defensive air-to-air refuelling while travelling to New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting.
- Sep 22 Burnham announced the decision while traveling to the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 22 UN agencies warned that displacement could rise to over 230,000 if the fighting continues.
- Sep 25 Foreign minister Hakan Fidan announced willingness to meet the kingdom’s technical military needs.
- Sep 25 The UK moved from earlier talks to a formal agreement to provide the Voyager tanker.
- Sep 25 Federal forces and TPLF fighters clashed in Afar while a telecom blackout hit Tigray.
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