71,000 children displaced in Yemen in three weeks — Anadolu Agency

In Yemen, around 71,000 children have been forced to leave their homes over the past three weeks due to an escalation of the conflict. In total, nearly 130,000 people have been displaced during this period, mainly from or within the southwestern governorate of Taiz, Anadolu Agency reports, citing UNICEF.

Malnutrition among children

UNICEF Representative in Yemen Akhil Iyer said in Geneva that conflict is worsening hunger, while hunger makes children even more vulnerable to conflict. According to him, the organization’s mobile teams have screened nearly 2,900 children in recent weeks in areas where UNICEF has safe humanitarian access.

More than a quarter of the children screened had acute malnutrition, while around 200 had severe acute malnutrition. UNICEF forecasts that more than 2.2 million children under the age of five in Yemen will suffer from acute malnutrition this year, including more than half a million with its severe form.

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Casualties and school closures

UNICEF confirmed that at least 15 children have been killed and another 14 injured due to the conflict since the beginning of September. Another three children have reportedly gone missing, according to the organization.

The escalation has also affected education: 243 schools have closed or suspended classes over three weeks, affecting nearly 140,000 students. Iyer called on the parties to the conflict to protect children and civilians, comply with international humanitarian law, and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access.