Growing Calls for Ceasefire in Yemen a Welcome Sign, but Country’s Children Need an End to War
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore
NEW YORK (November 16, 2018) – “The increasing number of appeals for a ceasefire in Yemen and resumption of political talks, offer a glimmer of hope to Yemeni children that peace might one day return to their country.
“Yet the fighting continues and it is children who bear the consequences of a war waged by adults – living in communities ravaged by violence, cholera and malnutrition. Fear and sorrow to last a lifetime have been seared into their young hearts.
“Children have suffered terribly during more than three years of conflict – at least 6,000 have been killed or seriously injured by the fighting, while over 11 million need humanitarian assistance to survive.
“Basic services like water, healthcare and sanitation have all but collapsed, and with the economy in freefall, families cannot afford to feed their children or bring them to health facilities. In Yemen, one child dies every 10 minutes from preventable causes, including malnutrition and vaccine-preventable diseases.
“It is my sincere hope that, as the Security Council meets today to discuss Yemen and political talks resume in the coming weeks, parties to the conflict and those who have influence over them will heed the calls for a lasting peace and place the interests of Yemeni children front and center.
“All children need peace.”
# # #
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org