New York – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, is deeply concerned by the violence in Yemen that, according to UNICEF, has killed 62 children and injured 30 others over the past week.
“I am alarmed by the rising number of child casualties in Yemen,” said Leila Zerrougui. “Children urgently need our protection. We cannot tolerate seeing them victims of this conflict.”
The conflict continues to impact access to education and healthcare for Yemeni children. The Special Representative reminds all parties to the conflict of the protected status of both schools and hospitals.
“All parties involved in military operations in Yemen must avoid creating new risks for children,” Zerrougui added. “They must act in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law.”
In the past few months, the United Nations has verified an increase in the recruitment of children, notably by Al Houthi/Ansar Allah and other armed groups. The number of children killed or maimed has also been on the rise.
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For additional information, please contact:
Stephanie Tremblay, Communications Officer, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict,+1-212-963-8285 (office), +1-917-288-5791 (mobile), tremblay@un.org
