26 Apr 2024
Wednesday 5 October 2016 - 12:46
Story Code : 234103

Two million children out of school in war-torn Yemen: UNICEF

The United Nations childrens agency, UNICEF, says violence has left over two million children out of school in Yemen, which has been underrelentless Saudi attacks for more than a year.

On Tuesday, the agencys Yemen Representative, Julien Harneis, said 350,000 children got no education last year amid the deadly violence, which led to the closure of many schools across Yemen.

With last years figures, there are currently over two million out-of-school kids across the war-torn country, added the UNICEF official.

Children were killed on their way to school or while at school, Harneis said. Parties to the conflict should keep children and schools out of harm to give education a chance.

Saudi Arabia has been waging a military campaign against Yemen since March 2015 to restore power to the former Yemeni government, a close ally of Riyadh.

The UN said in late August that more than 10,000 people have lost their lives since last March.

Riyadhs military is blamed by the world body and prominent rights groups for most of the civilian deaths in the impoverished country.

The UNICEF estimates that 2,108 schools across the country can no longer be used. The agency is asking for USD 34 million for restoration of the countrys education system.



[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"] A malnourished Yemeni boy sits on a wooden bench in an impoverished coastal village on the outskirts of the western city of al-Hudaydah on September 26, 2016. (Photo by AFP)[/caption]

Famine looming large

The country is, meanwhile, grappling with a severe food shortage amid a naval blockade imposed by Riyadh, which prevents shipments to most of its ports.

According to the agency, there are 370,000 children enduring severe malnutrition in the already-impoverished nation, and 1.5 million are going hungry.

Also on Tuesday, the UNs humanitarian aid chief, Stephen OBrien recounted his observations following a visit to the port city of al-Hudaydah in western Yemen.

It is of course absolutely devastating when you see such terrible malnutrition, he said, warning of very severe needs.

Altogether, there are 28 million people short of food in the Arabian Peninsulas poorest country, the UN estimates.

By Press TV
https://theiranproject.com/vdccx0qi12bq1s8.-ya2.html
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