Nearly 2.2 million Yemeni children are acutely malnourished, victims of the near collapse of the health-care system during two years of escalating conflict, UN children’s fund (Unicef) said on Tuesday.
At least 462,000 are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, as food supplies have been disrupted by the war between the Saudi-backed government and Al Houthi rebels, the agency said.
Saada province, a rebel bastion in the far north, has the world’s highest stunting rate among children with eight out of 10 children affected in some areas, it added.
“Malnutrition in Yemen is at an all-time high and increasing,” said Unicef’s acting country representative, Meritxell Relano.
“The state of health of children in the Middle East’s poorest country has never been as catastrophic as it is today.”
At least one child dies every 10 minutes in Yemen because of malnutrition and preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and respiratory infections.
“Diseases such as cholera and measles have spread and, with few health facilities functional, such outbreaks are taking a heavy toll on children,” Relano said.
In 2016, Unicef supported the treatment of 215,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and provided more than four million children under the age of five with vitamin supplements.
But relief operations remain hindered by funding shortfalls and limited access to battleground areas.
“We call on parties to the conflict to give us unhindered access to children in need across the country so we are able to deliver nutrition supplies, treat malnourished children and support Yemen’s health services,” Relano said.
source : gulfnews
GMT 23:29 2017 Monday ,18 December
UN expert urges world to remember older persons with AlzheimerGMT 03:55 2017 Thursday ,21 September
Person infected with Ebola in Congo has died: UN health agencyGMT 05:25 2017 Thursday ,07 September
UN Agencies to open unit for free kidney dialysis treatmentGMT 13:24 2017 Saturday ,25 March
Over 190,000 polio vaccinators aim to reach 116 mln children in AfricaGMT 03:28 2017 Thursday ,09 March
UN: China moves to stop taking organs from prisonersMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor