Statement Attributable to Julien Harneis, UNICEF Representative in Yemen
NEW YORK (June 16, 2015) – "The number of children in Yemen who have been killed as a result of conflict over the last 10 weeks is four times that of all those confirmed to have been killed in 2014*. At least 279 children have been killed and 402 injured since the escalation of violence in Yemen which began on March 26, 2015, compared with 74 and 244, respectively, that were reported in the whole of last year.
“The recruitment and use of children has also sharply increased. Children in Yemen are being used by armed groups, manning check-points or carrying arms. In 2014, 156 children were confirmed to have been recruited and used in armed groups, whereas in 2015 the number has already doubled to 318.
“Children continue to be killed, maimed or recruited to fight. They should be safely learning in school, not trying to escape bullets on the frontlines. These children are the future of Yemen and they must be protected at all times and kept out of harm’s way.
“UNICEF welcomes the call of the UN Secretary-General for a renewed humanitarian pause during the holy month of Ramadan to allow critical assistance to reach all Yemenis in need and provide a respite.
“The violence in Yemen has not only devastated the lives of millions of children, but is creating terrifying, long-term consequences for their future. UNICEF again emphasizes the urgent need for all parties to conflict, and those with influence over them, to end this violence once and for all.”
* Information on grave violations against children in 2014 was recently published in the annual report of the UN Secretary General’s on children and armed conflicts.
About UNICEFThe 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, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF 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: Marci Greenberg, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.922.2464, mgreenberg@unicefusa.org.