Fighting across parts of Yemen has uprooted roughly 71,000 children and led to a sharp deterioration in child nutrition, the United Nations children’s agency said. Recent screenings carried out by UNICEF in the past few weeks identified alarmingly high rates of acute malnutrition among those assessed.
Nearly 2,900 children were screened during the agency’s rapid assessments, and more than one in four were found to be acutely malnourished. UNICEF said the figures reflect an immediate life‑threatening situation for many children and underscore the severe strain the renewed violence is placing on families and local services.
Displacement disrupts food supplies, health and nutrition services, and access to clean water, compounding existing vulnerabilities among Yemen’s children. UNICEF warned that displaced families face heightened risks of disease, food insecurity and reduced access to routine medical care, all of which can worsen malnutrition and long‑term health outcomes.
The agency’s findings come against the backdrop of Yemen’s prolonged conflict, which has left large parts of the country dependent on humanitarian assistance. UNICEF said the latest screening results underline the urgent need for increased humanitarian support and for safe, sustained access to affected communities so that life‑saving services can reach children and families in greatest need.