UNICEF calls for strengthened humanitarian assistance for Ye

Amman, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) held a press conference in the Jordanian capital of Amman on the same day, issuing an urgent appeal, emphasizing that the Yemeni civil war has led to the difficult situation of local children, and over 11 million Yemeni children urgently need humanitarian assistance from the international community.

Hailet Kaporal, the head of UNICEF's Central and Northeast Africa region, recently visited Yemen and revealed at a press conference that since the escalation of the Yemeni civil war in March 2015, an average of 5 children have been injured or killed in the fighting every day. Nowadays, almost all Yemeni children rely on humanitarian aid.

Data shows that over half of Yemen's children lack access to clean drinking water and basic public health conditions, with approximately 400000 children suffering from severe malnutrition. Meanwhile, nearly 2 million children are out of school, of which 500000 dropped out after the escalation of the civil war in March 2015. In addition, about three-quarters of Yemeni girls get married before the age of 18, and the cholera epidemic that has lasted for nearly a year and a half has affected over one million people. Children under the age of 15 account for more than 40% of infections and a quarter of deaths.

Looking back at the situation in Yemen, in September 2014, the Houthis seized the capital Sana'a and occupied the southern region. President Hadi and cabinet members sought refuge in Saudi Arabia. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and other countries launched the "Decisive Storm" military operation against the Houthi militants. Although negotiations have been mediated by the United Nations, no consensus has been reached among the parties.

Due to ongoing wars, stagnant political processes, and economic collapse, it is difficult for daily necessities to enter the blockaded areas, and the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is becoming increasingly severe. According to United Nations data from September 2017, over 20 million people across the country urgently need assistance, 7 million are facing the threat of hunger, and over 500000 have been infected with cholera. UNICEF calls on the international community to increase its assistance to Yemeni children and improve their living and development environment.