Yemen War Hitting Children Hardest, UNICEF Says; WFP Warns Of Potential Famine

News outlets highlight findings from a new UNICEF report, titled Yemen: Childhood Under Threat, and famine warnings from the World Food Programme.

Agence France-Presse: U.N. warns of ‘storm’ of famine in conflict-hit Yemen
“The United Nations warned Wednesday of a ‘developing famine’ in Yemen, where more than half a million children are severely malnourished, and pressed for access to its war-torn regions…” (8/19).

Al Jazeera America: Children bearing brunt of war in Yemen, UNICEF says
“Fighting in Yemen has killed nearly 400 children since the end of March, with a similar number having been recruited by armed groups in the conflict, the U.N. children’s agency warned Wednesday…” (8/19).

Associated Press: Yemen conflict has killed nearly 400 children, U.N. says
“…This is UNICEF’s first such alert on Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Shiite Houthi rebels since late March. Millions have been trapped in the conflict, and aid groups have warned that many people are on the brink of starvation…” (Anna, 8/18).

Associated Press: U.N. says Yemen on edge of famine from conflict, blocked ports
“…Ertharin Cousin, head of the U.N.’s World Food Programme, said that while some food aid is flowing in, fighting around major ports is stalling deliveries, while reaching the country’s interior is proving difficult and donor funding is still falling short…” (Rohan, 8/19).

Newsweek: Yemen’s Children Face Increased Risk of Death and Starvation From Conflict: U.N.
“…Ten million children, or 80 percent of the country’s under-18s, need urgent humanitarian assistance, UNICEF said…” (Westcott, 8/19).

U.N. News Centre: Killing or maiming an average of eight children a day, ‘brutal’ Yemen conflict must end — UNICEF
“…Disrupted health services, increased levels of child malnutrition, closed schools, and higher numbers of children recruited by fighting groups are among the effects of the conflict now ravaging the Arab world’s poorest country, the study finds…” (8/19).

Xinhua News: 1.8 million children estimated to suffer from malnutrition in Yemen: UNICEF
“…UNICEF estimates that the education of over 1.8 million children has been interrupted by school closures and more than 20 million people are struggling to get the safe water and sanitation they need, according to [UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake]…” (8/19).

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