“War on Children Continues Raging in Yemen. Several Children Killed Today in Hodeida. Children in Yemen Urge the International Community for Their Safety and Protection to be Integral Part of the Generosity at the Pledging Conference in Geneva Tomorrow.”
Statement attributable to Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa
NEW YORK (April 2, 2018) –“The United Nations has verified the killing of several children in an attack today in the coastal city of Hodeida in western Yemen. Many children are reported missing as the injured and killed are still being pulled out from the rubble.
“This is one of the deadliest attacks on children since the conflict in Yemen escalated in March 2015.
“None of the parties to this brutal war have for one second respected the fundamental principle of protection of children. Children continue to be the victims of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.
“Tomorrow, the international community will come together in Geneva in response to the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen. UNICEF calls on all parties to the conflict and those who have influence on them to immediately take action and abide by their legal obligation to protect children and always keep them out of harm’s way.
“There can be absolutely no justification for such blatant disregard for children’s rights and international humanitarian law.”
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Notes to editors:
Find out more about UNICEF’s work for children in Yemen here: http://uni.cf/yemencrisis
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:
Sophie Aziakou, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org