The failure of the UN pressure on donors has pushed 100,000 Yemeni children to the brink of hunger
English - Sunday 01 November 2020 الساعة 04:45 pm
Aden, NewsYemen, Exclusive:
The United Nations says it urgently needs $ 1 billion to prevent the worst effects of the cuts on the needy in Yemen, but efforts to pressure major donors to provide more have so far largely failed.
Donor countries have expressed their dissatisfaction with providing assistance to a relief operation that suffers from obstruction and diversion, at the same time that they were exposed to economic problems due to the emerging coronavirus.
In its latest update, Save the Children said that nearly 100 children under the age of five are on the verge of starvation, suffering from malnutrition to the point that their lives are at stake and the numbers may be higher across the country.
The organization pointed out that the increasing number of children who suffer from hunger is a clear indication of the deteriorating nutritional situation in the country.
Yemenis are less able to buy food due to the high prices, as the cost of the food basket in the northern regions has increased by 2,400 Yemeni riyals ($ 4) since last January.
While the minimum cost of the food basket in the south increased by 6,331 Yemeni riyals ($ 7,70), which is 15% more than it was in the 2018 crisis.
High food prices, the repercussions of the Coronavirus, and financing challenges severely affect children's access to food across Yemen, leading to an increase in the number of children who are on the verge of hunger or even famine.
After a new United Nations report on malnutrition in the south of the country, the organization is deeply concerned for children in the north as well.
In some clinics where Save the Children works, the number of malnourished children who came to life-saving treatment increased by 60 percent between the end of last year and July 2020.
Save the Children says that the lack of funding has created a gap in life-saving programs, which means children and families have less access to food aid.
Save the Children called on donors to increase their funding for life-saving programs in Yemen, and the parties to the conflict in Yemen to enable humanitarian organizations to reach all areas without hindrance to those who need it most.
