Since March 2015, violence and war have been running rampant through Yemen. More than three million children have been born into a permanent war zone since then, and an additional five children have been wounded or killed each day.
In addition to violence, basic needs such as drinking water, food, and hygiene facilities are hard to come by. Sixty percent of the population is food insecure and 1.8 million children under age five are acutely malnourished, while 400,000 are severe acute malnourished.
MANUEL FONTAINE
Director of Emergency Operations (UNICEF)
“It is important to note that an estimated 1.4 million children – which is over three times the number in Yemen – of children are actually projected to require lifesaving treatment for some severe acute malnutrition during the course of 2019.”
Yemen is divided into two factions: the Houthi rebels, who are loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and a coalition of Yemeni government troops, supported by Saudi Arabia. They began an air campaign against the rebels, wanting the government to be restored to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is internationally recognized as the leader.
However, in December, a ceasefire was announced near Hudaydah's key port to the Red Sea. The UN is hoping it will not only lead the port to accept food and aid for the millions of people suffering in the country, but start a peace process in Yemen.
Yemen is currently UNICEF's second-largest appeal, requesting $542.3 million to help resolve the humanitarian crisis.
